A multi-stage Acceleration programme & Competition for start-up teams with innovative solutions for sustainable development. The Innovation Factory Digital Innovation Accelerator is a multi-stage programme that includes a 6-month acceleration programme and a final competition. ACCELERATOR PROCESS 1. APPLY Call for applications open to start-ups, companies, non-profits to submit innovations for sustainable development: Gender Equality, EduTech or Environmental Climate Action. Submit your application & tell us why your innovation idea/prototype needs acceleration & funding support. 2. ACCELERATE 45 shortlisted teams will take part in the 6-month Digital Innovation Accelerator to: Receive capacity-building support; Be guided in business model refinement; Become investment ready; Optimise SDG impacts; Develop a comprehensive business plan The Accelerator programmes will be held in-person in the respective local countries. More information about venue and dates will be revealed in due time. Please be sure to select the correct countries in your application. 3. COMPETE Teams successfully completing the Accelerator Programme will submit supporting documents for jury assessment. 12 winning teams will be selected to win tailored support packages equivalent to 15.000€ each. SECTORS GENDER EQUALITY Women and girls make up half the global population and therefore half its potential. However, gender inequality in various forms still persists everywhere and stands in the way of sustainable economic growth and social progress. Similarly, this disparity between genders is also reflected in the access to digital technology. Whether it is providing equal education access or increasing access to adaptive microfinance, technology provide endless possibilities to improving quality of life and enabling women and girls to participate in building resilient communities. EDUTECH Good quality and accessible education is a crucial foundation for sustainable development. In addition to improving quality of life, it equips locals with tools to further develop innovative solutions to global problems. According to the UN, 617 million children and adolescents lack minimum proficiency in reading and mathematics, and up to 750 million adults still remain illiterate*. Digital technology has a high potential to help propel forward impoverished communities and to help youth gain relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills for employment. *Source: UN (2019) The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2019 ENVIRONMENTAL CLIMATE ACTION Climate change affects all communities globally with increasingly severe weather pattern changes, rising sea levels and extremely high greenhouse gas emissions. Limiting global warming to 1.5ºC will require drastic changes in all aspects of society. Furthermore, the poorest and most vulnerable people are affected the most. Digital innovations that contribute to climate and environmental action can deliver scalable solutions to enable countries to increase local adaptation efforts across all communities and advance quicker towards cleaner and more resilient economies. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Have a clear business case and feasible financial sustainability for future/current revenue model Have a digital innovation that delivers positive impact in the areas of Gender Equality, Environmental Climate Action or EduTech Digital innovation solution is operational & has been introduced to the market & its intended users Being locally-driven or locally-led from one of these 5 countries: Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Mexico, and Senegal Have potential for scale and significant replication to maximise impact Closes: February 24, 2020 CLICK TO APPLY
Flash Back – In 2015, we trained more the 100 BECE graduate in ICT
In 2015, our founder in the name of Boamah Emmanuel Preko collaborated with the Sunyani Municipal Education in a project name “ICT 4 Teens”. The project was organized for carefully selected students who had a passion for ICT use simple survey questions answered by the students. The students were selected from Nyamaa JHS, Presby JHS A & B, St. James & St. Patricks’ Roman Schools, Methodist JHS A & B, and SDA JHS, all located in the Sunyani Municipal. The project which lasted for more than 3 months starts from 15th July 2015 to 15th October 2015, ensuring that students were equipped with practical skills in Windows Operation System, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint. The students were tested using various practical assignments and exercises based on which they were award certificates of participation. We will soon commerce another similar project in a different area. Comment where may want us to go this year.
UNLEASH 2019 officially wrapped up in the Shenzhen Concert Hall and four solutions were awarded
On the final day of UNLEASH, the energy was palpable. Not because it was the end of the week-long innovation lab, that brought 1,200 young talents and facilitators to work on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but because this was the culmination and celebration of all their hard work. The ceremony started with traditional Chinese dance and was followed by speeches from distinguished guests and partners who handed out awards in four categories: Most Impact Potential, Most Promising Partnership, Most Disruptive Technology, and Most Innovative. Flemming Besenbacher, chairman of UNLEASH, the Carlsberg Group, and the Carlsberg Foundation, said that the energy, dedication, and creativity the talents put into their solutions in the past week have certainly lived up to his expectation. “UNLEASH is committed to making a better and more sustainable world. After tonight’s ceremony, I believe you will bring the spirit of problem-solving and cooperation to all aspects of work and life,” said Besenbacher. Liu Hongpeng, director of the energy division of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, said that the SDGs have been in place for four years. “The strong combination of Shenzhen and UNLEASH has enabled us to know great potential can be unleashed through such an event,” he said. A congratulatory video from U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres was also played at the ceremony. Guterres recognized the efforts of the global youths in pushing the SDGs. “We need strong effective partnerships such as yours, and we need to harness the benefits of new technologies for the common good,” Guterres said. Shenzhen Mayor Chen Rugui said the fact that UNLEASH was held in Shenzhen for the first time shows the recognition of China’s promotion and implementation of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as well as Shenzhen’s achievements in sustainable development. Meng Qinghai, vice president and executive secretary of China Association for Science and Technology, hopes that all young talents can build up friendship, strengthen cooperation and jointly create a bright future for human development. Two Nobel Prize laureates, namely Muhammad Yunus and Leymah Gbowee, were received with hearty rounds of applause from the audience for sharing their stories and actions in promoting the SDGs. Four innovative and goal-oriented projects were awarded at the ceremony, with the Most Promising Partnership Solution Award, Most Disruptive Technology Award, Most Innovative Award and Most Scalable Solution Award going to KINDS, Chloe Assist, Cryptics and Waste Awayers, respectively. The winners also got a chance to pitch their projects in front of all the attendees. UNLEASH 2019 was hosted by China Association for Science and Technology and the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government and organized by Shenzhen Industrial Design Profession Association. The four winners: AFTER the weeklong UNLEASH innovation process, the solutions for the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of four teams stood out from a total of 222 teams composed of over 1,000 talents from over 160 countries and regions. Most Promising Partnership: Team KINDS received the Most Promising Partnership Solution Award, Team CHLOE ASSIST received the Most Disruptive Technology Solution Award, Team CRYPTICS received the Most Innovative Solution Award and Team WASTE AWAYERS received the Most Scalable Solution Award at the closing ceremony of UNLEASH 2019 held at Shenzhen Concert Hall yesterday. Team KINDS received the Most Promising Partnership award, under the theme of Sustainable Cities and Communities, targeted the topic of organic waste in Kenya and how it is impacting not only the environment but also the living circumstances of thousands of Kenyans. The team consists of five members, namely Nzambi Matee from Kenya, Sowmya Lakshminarayanan from India, Izman Suhail from the Maldives, Didoney Vilhete from Sao Tome and Principe, and Kerry Lim from France. “Right now we have the biggest dumpsite in Nairobi. This is where all the waste generated in Nairobi City is dumped. Due to this dumpsite, thousands of people come here every day to earn a living by sorting organic and inorganic waste. This dumpsite is not only a source of income for them but also a health risk for them. Because of this dumpsite, this area is offered as affordable housing because no one wants to live there,” Matee told the Shenzhen Daily. The solution proposed by the team is a social enterprise offering waste segregation services at the source to divert organic waste away from the landfill and use it to produce alternative, affordable building materials, such as bricks and panels. They will relocate dump workers to the workplace to offer a safe environment, fair income, and opportunities to upgrade their slums. For Matee, the most unforgettable moment of UNLEASH is working with the team. “I am the only one who is a local from Kenya. The others are foreigners and they asked me things that made me see my hometown, where I have lived for more than 20 years, from a different perspective.” Most Scalable Solution: Team WASTE AWAYERS, under the theme of Responsible Consumption and Production, came up with a better way of preserving fish. The team is made up of six members, namely Friedrick Hogdal from Denmark, Nimpaye Didier from Burundi, Pamela Alcocer and Ariela Gildeson from Mexico, and Amaka Chukwueme and Yusuf Bilesanmi from Nigeria. According to Bilesanmi, 25 billion tons of fish go to waste every year and fish is very important because it makes up about 40 percent of the protein in the world. “So it is an important topic for us and what we looked into was how you preserve fish waste,” Bilesanmi said. What concerned the team most was finding a cost-effective way to preserve the fish, and finally, they came up with the solution: preserving the fish with the help of enzymatic action. In this way, bacterial growth could be inhibited and the fish could be sold on the market before the meat turns bad. “We never expected that we would win the prize, but we wanted something that’s applicable and scalable. We actually cried when we were told [about the award] because
BP Global STEM Academies Scholarship Program 2020 for Students and Active Global Citizens
Deadline: March 9, 2020 Apply now for this once in a lifetime opportunity – the BP Global STEM Academies Scholarship Program 2020. The BP Global STEM Academies is an extraordinary, full scholarship study abroad program for students and active global citizens who are energized to help solve some of today’s biggest global challenges. BP and AFS have partnered to host the BP Global STEM Academies, four-week programs in Brazil, Egypt, India, and the USA focusing on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and global competence education. Scholarship winners will enrich their STEM knowledge and skills through interactive, hands-on curriculum, while developing critical global competencies, including problem solving, analytical skills, intercultural understanding, and the ability to build bridges across cultures. The program culminates with team projects and presentations that offer potential solutions to real world challenges, with an emphasis on climate change and the energy transition. Scholarship BP and AFS have partnered to develop the BP Global STEM Academies and BP has provided funding for 110 full scholarships. The scholarship covers the AFS program fee, domestic and international airfares, your visa (if necessary), government fees to obtain a passport (if needed), and all program costs, including meals and housing. Eligibility For the 2020 BP Global STEM Academies, AFS is identifying and selecting scholarship recipients from Brazil, China, Egypt, Germany, Ghana, India, Mexico, South Africa and the USA. If you are from one of the above countries and meet the following eligibility criteria, hurry now and apply! Must be born between December 1, 2002 and June 1, 2005 The ability to participate fully in a classroom and program conducted entirely in English Demonstrated interest in STEM, study abroad and interacting with different cultures Willingness to attend all four Academy destinations – Brazil, Egypt, India or the USA Ability and willingness to travel unaccompanied abroad Interested in exploring new cultures Talented young people from all backgrounds who reflect the diversity of populations around the world, particularly young women and students with financial need, are encouraged to apply! Application Click here to apply For more information, visit BP Global STEM Academies.
Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation – International Short Courses for Mid-Career Professionals (Nuffic Scholarships Available)
Deadline: March 17, 2020 The Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation invites applications for the 2020 International Short Courses for Mid-Career Professionals. They offer a wide range of courses which will help you to develop the capacities, leadership qualities needed to be creative, adaptive and responsive to the dynamics of a rapidly changing world. In their courses they connect Wageningen University & Research’s technical and scientific expertise with cutting-edge processes of innovation and learning. Whether you are a development practitioner, an entrepreneur, or a policy-maker, their highly interactive training methods stimulate you to reflect and share your experiences to generate new insights. In their courses they offer a rich mixture of state-of-the-art theoretical insights and practical expertise. Why not join one of their courses to widen your horizons, learn alongside others in your field, update your knowledge on current scientific insights, methodologies and practices, and become part of their network of over 20 000 alumni? Scholarships Nuffic Scholarships: The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs initiates different programmes for individual scholarships. The selection of theses scholarships is done by Nuffic, the Dutch organisation for facilitating the internationalisation of education. The most common programmes are the Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP), MENA Scholarship Programme (MSP) and StuNed. Depending on your nationality, Nuffic’s selection criteria and your countries plan of implementation, you are welcome to attend one of the short courses by means of these scholarships. Detailed information and the application criteria can be found under ‘Scholarship Information‘. Benefits For participants with and OKP, MSP, StuNed scholarship, Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation will book the flight tickets. The costs for international travel will be covered by the scholarship. Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation will arrange accommodation for all course participants during the course on basis of full board and lodging. For OKP, MSP, StuNed or ITTO participants, the costs for accommodation will be covered by the scholarship. Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation will also arrange a health insurance for participants during the course. The costs for health insurance are covered by the fellowship. Eligibility Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation welcomes all mid-career professionals from low and middle-income countries to develop their knowledge and skills on sustainable & inclusive food systems through our short courses. Depending on your financial situation, you can apply as a scholarship candidate or as a self-funded participant. Application Register for the course of your interest by clicking the ‘apply’ button on the webpage of this course. A registration form will open; Fill in the required fields of the registration form. Please note to write your date of birth without a zero (e.g. 1-5-1980 instead of 01-05-1980); Before you submit, check your details on the final page of the registration form; After submitting, you will receive a confirmation email. Make sure to directly click on the link in the email to confirm your registration. Without your confirmation, your registration cannot be processed; If you apply as an OKP or MSP-scholarship candidate, you will receive a registration letter for the scholarship within 3 working days; If you apply as a self-funded participant: we will forward your request for acceptance to the course leader. This can take some time as it depends on the coordinators’ schedule (1-3 weeks); If you’re accepted into the course programme, we’ll send you an admission letter by e-mail; You receive all required travel documents from us after you are selected for the scholarship (OKP/MSP-scholarship candidates) or when we’ve received your payment (self-funded participant). Click here to apply.
Our CEO is the lead facilitator for the GTL Incubation for AI Startups
As the lead facilitator for the on-going National Artificial Intelligence Training for Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo Regions, Today the trainees in the #GTLincubator program have been taken through detailed practical lessons on design thinking, and are now busy working on their paper prototype using field data collected from various consumers. Gift-Tech Solutions through GrassRoots Hub is making a great impact in the lives of these young startups to enable them to turn the practical AI skills acquired during the training sections into productive use by development solutions to help solve most of Ghana urgent needs. #BA4Ai #Grassrooterscommunity #GrassRootsHub #GTLAi #GTLimpact #GTLbase #GTLevents #Artificialintelligence #AIGhana