Applications for the YouthConnekt Sahel Forum are open to young leaders driving change in the Sahel region. If you have an initiative that is making a difference in the Sahel, then apply for YouthConnekt Sahel Forum: Sahel Innovate Challenge!
Launched by the YouthConnekt Sahel Forum, the Sahel Innovate Challenge is designed to promote and showcase the innovation and resilience of young Sahelians driving the region’s transformation.
The initiative aims to foster an association of creativity and innovation with the region, shifting from the overemphasized conflict and poverty-stricken narrative.
To this end, Sahel Innovate Challenge is seeking 20 exceptional youth from the Sahel Region who will win an opportunity to pitch their innovative solutions to a panel of judges at the YouthConnekt Sahel Forum.
Through the Sahel Innovate Challenge, Sahelian youths have the opportunity to engage with policy influencers, business and political leaders, and development institutions.
It also emboldens young people in the region to own their development narrative – discuss, design, accelerate youth empowerment efforts, and ultimately rebrand the Sahel as a land of opportunities and investment.
Eligibility criteria
To qualify for the Sahel Innovate Challenge, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be aged 35 or younger;
- Be a national and currently residing in one of the UNISS Sahel countries (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, The Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, and Senegal);
- Have a demonstrable and tested innovative solution (including the number of people impacted) in the Sahel region in any of the following challenge tracks: Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, Digital Transformation, COVID-19 Response and Recovery, Health, Education, Peace and Security, Cultural and Creative Arts, Agroforestry.
Benefits of participation
Selected applicants will receive:
- An opportunity to pitch your solution to business leaders and a panel of judges
- Fully funded participation at the forum
Method of application
- Step 1: In less than 2 minutes, record a video introducing yourself, your solution, and its impact in the Sahel region.
- Step 2: Click here to fill out the form. Note that your video can be submitted in English or French.
Instructions for the Video
- It should be shot in “landscape/widescreen” mode.
- Provide an introduction of yourself – name, nationality, and age.
- Provide an introduction of your innovative solution – description, and impact so far (including the number of people impacted).
Deadline
Submission entries close on Sunday, November 21, 2021.
