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Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT) and the Mastercard Foundation are proud to reveal the six new partner organizations named to the “Going Beyond – Partnering for a Youth-Led Future” project. As the first partners, Hakizetu, Her Initiative, MHub, Mzuzu eHub, Sheria Kiganjani and Songambele will expand the reach and impact of the Going Beyond project in Africa.

Over the next several years, DOT will work with youth-serving organizations in four African countries to train 300,000 young people in technology and business skills critical to their livelihoods. The partner organizations in Malawi and Tanzania that were announced Friday have established operations in these countries and have already impacted tens of thousands of individuals to date.

Each of these organizations shares the core mission of Going Beyond, which is to help young people in Africa access dignified jobs and live purposeful lives by equipping them with 21st century skills for entrepreneurship and employment. Two of these organizations – Sheria Kiganjani and Hakizetu – focus specifically on the economic and social empowerment of young women, and one – Songambele – works to create economically independent lives for young people with disabilities. These organizations will help Going Beyond reach a diverse range of participants, scaling up the possible impact of the program and ensuring that no young person is left behind because of circumstances or stereotypes. 

“These first partner organizations are setting the tone for the skill, enthusiasm, and passion for change that we want to see in all the organizations we partner with. Together, we are co-creating a new future for young people in Africa,” says Violette Uwamutara, DOT’s Vice President, Sub-Saharan Africa. 

“It is like two pieces of a jigsaw puzzle snapping together,” says Elijah Lumbani Mkandawire, the CEO of MHub, a tech hub and entrepreneurship support organization in Malawi that is among the first partners. “What DOT and the Mastercard Foundation are doing goes straight to the heart of our own work.” 

The partners are already leaders in transforming the lives of African youth through technological and entrepreneurial skills, ensuring that everyone is included and has the opportunity to learn and thrive.

“People with disabilities are often left out of technology-related projects because there are stereotypes that say we don’t need or want these skills,” says Faustina Urassa, the Founder and Executive Director of Songambele, a partner organization that provides health and wellness services to young people with disabilities in Tanzania, and promotes their social and economic inclusion.  “With this project, we are going to show the true meaning of equality and inclusion.”  

The partners’ existing skills, and visions, are essential to Going Beyond, which seeks to go beyond conventional models for development work that engage external expertise over local knowledge and creativity, and instead empower young people to lead their own – and their community’s development. That is why the partner organizations have co-designed the project’s curriculum, and determined how Going Beyond will be carried out in their countries.

“The entire project is collaborative, it’s inclusive, it’s a discussion,” says Lydia Charles, Founder and Executive of Her Initiative. “That’s a beautiful and unique experience.” 

As part of this partnership, the organizations in Malawi and Tanzania will also receive technical support and resources to improve their own operations. 

“It’s very rare to see a funder this passionate about leaving the organization better off than it found them,” says Wangiwe Joanna Kambuzi, the Managing Director and Founder of Mzuzu eHub. 

This, in turn, points to Going Beyond’s strategy to outlive itself and sustain its impact. The project will foster communities where young people have the skills to build enriching, financially independent lives over the long term. It will also create an ecosystem of ambitious youth-led and youth-serving organizations that will continue to serve their communities for decades to come. 

“Our goal is for the project to live forever in the hearts of the people, and our hearts as an organization,” says Lydia James Ibrahim, the M&E Manager at Hakizetu, a partner organization in Tanzania focused on economically empowering women and girls and promoting their sexual and reproductive health rights. 

“I see us leaving behind a huge mindset shift in our communities,” adds Neema Magimba, Co-founder of Sheria Kiganjani, which connects low-income Tanzanians to legal services via a mobile app. 

For DOT, these partnerships mark a transformation in the organization’s history of building the entrepreneurial and digital skills of young people. In subsequent years, Going Beyond will welcome 14 additional partner organizations in Malawi and Tanzania, as well as 20 organizations in Zambia and Cote d’Ivoire. 

The six Going Beyond Partner organizations announced include:

• Hakizetu (Tanzania), an organization focused on economically empowering women and girls and promoting their sexual and reproductive health rights. 
• Her Initiative (Tanzania), an organization dedicated to fostering economic empowerment for women and girls through technology. 
• MHub (Malawi), a technology hub and business support organization working closely with young people.
• Mzuzu eHub (Malawi), an organization promoting youth business development in Malawi through incubation, investment support, digital skills training, and other support services. 
• Sheria Kiganjani (Tanzania), a youth-focused organization using digital tools to connect low- and middle-income Tanzanians to legal services. 
• Songambele (Tanzania), an organization working for the rights and economic empowerment of women and girls with disabilities. 

Read more about the Going Beyond Project, Partnering for Youth-led Future.

OTTAWA, Canada, February 12, 2024 — Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT) is thrilled to unveil a significant milestone resulting from the collaborative efforts of the EDISON Alliance Sprint Group. In the span of seven months, from May to November 2023, DOT, alongside esteemed partners like NetHope, Dubai Cares, Goodwall, The Digital School, UNICEF, and other members, engaged in a transformative journey aimed at advancing digital inclusion, particularly for young women in the burgeoning green economy. The culmination of this endeavour is the launch of the Principles for Digital Inclusion in the Green Economy, a groundbreaking initiative that aims to amplify the role of women and girls in shaping a sustainable future.

““The sprint group symbolizes the crucial collaboration of organizations and institutions joining forces with a common purpose — addressing the climate crisis through a collective ecosystem committed to promoting gender equality and meaningful inclusion. It issues a compelling call to action for the entire ecosystem to recognize the amplified impact of gender inequality amidst the climate crisis. It underscores the imperative to inclusively engage the most marginalized, especially women and girls, ensuring that solutions to the climate crisis are not only relevant but impactful.” 

– Elizabeth Mengesha and Meaghan Anderson, Co-Chairs of the Topic Sprint Group

Background:

The Sprint Group, embedded within the World Economic Forum’s EDISON Alliance, embarked on a mission to explore the intersections of climate change, digital technology, skills development, and gender equity. This collaborative effort resulted in the formulation of five key principles designed to catalyze positive change and foster increased participation and digital inclusion in the green economy.

Unveiling the Principles for Digital Inclusion in the Green Economy:

Principle 1: Think Digital, Act Local

The first principle stresses the need to ground digital inclusion initiatives in local realities, fostering community-driven empowerment. By strengthening local agency, individuals and communities can make decisions that directly impact their lives and environment, promoting autonomy and capacity. Recognizing and nurturing the expertise of women and their communities is vital for the success of green economy initiatives. Integrating climate considerations from the project’s inception not only aligns with these principles but also creates meaningful opportunities for young women to actively engage in climate action through digital inclusion projects.

Principle 2: Leave No One Behind

The second principle adopts an intersectional approach, recognizing that the marginalization of young women is multifaceted. Addressing systemic challenges such as poverty and unpaid care work, an “ecosystem” approach ensures a comprehensive strategy to reach them. By considering various social factors, we pave the way for inclusive green spaces that transcend traditional boundaries, fostering opportunities and dismantling barriers.

Principle 3: Representation Matters and Mentorship Pays Off

Empowering women in the green economy goes beyond skills; it requires creating a sense of belonging. The third principle emphasizes the importance of mentorship, establishing a robust support system that extends beyond technical guidance. By showcasing role models and fostering representation in climate leadership roles, we instill confidence, inspiring young women to envision themselves as integral contributors to these fields.

Principle 4: Don’t Forget Soft Skills

While technical skills are crucial, the fourth principle recognizes the significance of “soft” skills. Building cognitive and socio-emotional skills such as confidence, growth mindset, and collaboration is essential for the holistic development of women in green spaces. This approach ensures that women not only acquire technical skills but also possess the psychological resources to thrive in transformative spaces.

Principle 5: Create Safe Spaces

The final principle advocates for the establishment of women-only spaces, providing a platform for collaboration, support, and open dialogue. These safe spaces aim to cultivate an environment where young women feel empowered to express themselves without reservation. Emphasizing safer spaces in learning environments, workplaces, and community networks is crucial to address pervasive safety concerns and gender-based violence.

““In the pursuit of transformative change, the EDISON Alliance exemplifies the power of collaborative efforts and multi-stakeholder partnerships. As we navigate the path forward, DOT commits to embodying these principles, working hand-in-hand with diverse stakeholders to enact tangible actions that propel digital inclusion and empower the next generation. Our dedication aligns with the Alliance’s vision, to ensure equitable access to the digital economy to bridge the digital divide. Multi-stakeholder endorsement and uptake of the principles has the power to steer a future where collective efforts reshape systems for the better – achieving impact at scale”.

– Nada Ghaoui, Vice President Marketing and Development

In embracing these principles, we pave the way for a future where digital inclusion seamlessly aligns with a just transition to a thriving green economy. Within this vision, the green economy becomes a space where every young woman is afforded the chance to contribute, innovate, and flourish. Through the conscientious application of these principles, our aim is not only to bridge existing access gaps but to initiate a ripple effect of empowerment that extends well beyond individual interventions. We aspire to leave a lasting mark on the landscape of digital inclusion in the green economy across the Global South. Stepping into this new era guided by the Principles for Digital Inclusion in the Green Economy, DOT extends an invitation for you to join us on this transformative journey. Together, let’s empower women and girls to become architects of a greener and more inclusive tomorrow. The future is bright, and it starts with each of us taking meaningful steps today.

Call to Action:

Join the movement! Share the Principles for Digital Inclusion in the Green Economy  with your network and be a catalyst for change. Together, we can shape a future where everyone, regardless of gender, plays a crucial role in building a sustainable world. 

Principles for Digital Inclusion in the Green Economy

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue our commitment to advancing digital inclusion and sustainability.