Data for Local Impact Innovation Challenge (DLIIC) has awarded 15 sub-grantees (5 Organizations and 10 Individuals) for the DLI third challenge window, which focused on Youth Employability and Economic Empowerment.
During the challenge, which ran from December to January, 365 applications were received. From these applicants, 68 finalists were called upon for the pitching stage. The challenge focused on Sustainable Development Goal 8, which promotes inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. Ensuring economic empowerment and opportunity, particularly for young people, is a priority for Tanzania. Economic empowerment contributes to other development goals, such as improved health (including ending the AIDS epidemic), gender equality, and eliminating poverty and hunger. The specific challenge themes were:
- Strengthen alignment between employers’ needs and youths’ skills; and prepare young people for the job market,
- Foster economic empowerment of youth, and
- Develop and encourage linkages between young people and economic opportunities.
The Third Challenge Window was an opportunity for local entrepreneurs to generate new innovations, technologies, and processes that use data to address the economic and employment issues facing Tanzania’s youth. More than 365 applicants submitted ideas for how to increase youth employability and economic empowerment. After thorough review and evaluation, our judging panel of local experts selected 68 applications to reach the final stage of the challenge – a live pitch to the judging panel and an audience.
During the award ceremony, Mr. Makange Mramba, the Dar Teknohama Business Incubator (DTBi) Chief of Finance, urged the sub-grantees to direct the awarded funds to the envisioned goals, to bring positive change to their local communities.
“I’m honored to be part of this remarkable event and witnessing DLI creating a milestone by creating an enabling environment to enhance youth employability and economic empowerment through data use and innovations,” said Mr. Mramba.
On his part, the DLIIC Project Manager, Mr. Agapiti Manday, said he is eagerly waiting to see what will come out of the third challenge window sub-grantees’ innovative ideas.
“They have come up with good, innovative ideas in solving youth employability and economic empowerment challenges, and we’re looking forward to see these innovative ideas becoming solutions that will help bring positive impact to the community,” noted Mr. Agapiti.
The DLI Innovation Challenge has already provided grants to 22 winners from the First and Second Challenges. These two challenge windows aimed at reducing the risks of HIV/AIDS and improving healthcare services in the local communities in Tanzania. Learn more about how the DLIIC sub-grantees are leveraging data to tackle health challenges by visiting the winner profiles.
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