Deadline: June 11, 2023
The Africa Youth SDG Innovation Award 2023 is now open for applications! Are you a young African entrepreneur who has developed an innovative solution with a positive impact on the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? This prestigious award recognizes and rewards outstanding entrepreneurial efforts in resolving development challenges across Africa.
Calling all young African entrepreneurs! If you have harnessed your innovative spirit to create a solution that addresses a specific development problem while contributing to the SDGs, then the Africa Youth SDG Innovation Award 2023 is your chance to shine. This award, organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), in partnership with the African Youth SDG Summit and AfriLabs, aims to showcase the immense potential of young African entrepreneurs in driving sustainable development.
Recognizing the importance of innovative solutions in advancing the SDGs, the Africa Youth SDG Innovation Award seeks to reward and honor exceptional individuals who have successfully developed and implemented innovations that positively impact society and contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.
Benefits:
The six winners of the Africa Youth SDG Innovation Award 2023 will be granted a unique opportunity to present their innovations at the African Youth SDG Summit, scheduled to take place in Lusaka, Zambia in August 2023. The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) will cover all travel expenses for the winners, ensuring their presence at this significant gathering of like-minded individuals.
In addition to the summit, the winners will also have the privilege of participating in an exclusive in-person training session on innovation organized by ECA SRO-SA for small and medium-sized enterprises during the period of 2023-2024. Costs related to their participation will be covered by ECA.
Furthermore, ECA SRO-SA will sponsor the winners' travel and participation in the Africa Tech Festival, a prestigious event to be held in Cape Town, South Africa from November 14 to 16, 2023.
Eligibility:
The Africa Youth SDG Innovation Award 2023 is open to all African individuals between the ages of 18 to 35 as of December 31, 2022. To be eligible, applicants must have designed an innovative product or process that addresses a specific development problem and demonstrates a clear impact on the achievement of the SDGs. The innovation can be either already commercialized or in the process of being commercialized.
Application:
To apply for the Africa Youth SDG Innovation Award 2023, interested individuals should submit a pitch deck of up to 15 slides in PowerPoint (PPT) format, along with an accompanying narrative in Microsoft Word of no more than 1,500 words. The pitch deck and narrative should cover the following aspects:
- Overview of the development problem the innovation addresses.
- Clear description of the innovative solution.
- Explanation of the innovation's uniqueness and innovativeness.
- Discussion on how the solution positively impacts society and contributes to the SDGs, highlighting the relevant SDGs.
- Description of the innovation's conception, design, application, and, if applicable, commercialization (including information about team members involved).
- Challenges encountered during the development and commercialization process, and strategies employed to overcome them.
- Summary of the business model that can be used to commercialize the innovation, including its scalability potential.
- Stage of the business development (e.g., idea, Minimum Viable Product, established business, gaining traction), including relevant figures if feasible (e.g., Monthly Active Users, Monthly Recurring Revenues).
- Future plans and vision for the market evolution of the innovation.
- Any additional pertinent information (e.g., challenges related to patenting the innovation).
Interested applicants can visit the Africa Youth SDG Innovation Award website for further details and submit their applications by the deadline of June 11, 2023.
Conclusion:
The Africa Youth SDG Innovation Award 2023 presents a remarkable opportunity for young African entrepreneurs to gain recognition for their innovative solutions and contribute to the achievement of the SDGs. By applying their entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and problem-solving skills, these individuals have the power to drive sustainable development and transform societies across the continent.
Let us celebrate the remarkable achievements of young African entrepreneurs and encourage their efforts by sharing this opportunity widely. Together, we can support the next generation of innovators in Africa and create a brighter future for all. Apply now and be a catalyst for change!