Nine innovators win grants through the DLI Fourth Challenge Window

Nine innovators win grants through the DLI Fourth Challenge Window

Nine innovators win grants through the DLI Fourth Challenge Window

The Data for Local Impact (DLI) Innovation Challenge has selected 9 innovators (5 organizations and 4 individuals) to receive awards under the DLI Fourth Challenge Window. This window focused on community level problems identified by ordinary citizens in the context of DLI’s sister project, Data Zetu, which aims to increase data use at the subnational level. These citizen-identified problems targeted four thematic areas:

  • teenage pregnancy
  • physical/sexual abuse
  • substance abuse
  • early childhood development

These problems are common to many of Tanzania’s communities, can be addressed with data innovations, and align with PEPFAR priorities to reduce HIV/AIDS infections.

The fourth Challenge Window opened for applications on April 27 and closed on June 27, 2018. A panel of expert judges selected 41 finalists who then pitched their ideas live. Nine of these finalists were selected to receive the DLIIC grants. Individuals and small teams are awarded grants of USD10,000-25,000, while organizations receive grants of USD75,000-100,000. This grant funding is awarded together with technical support from the DLI project team. Since the DLI project is coming to a close at the end of this year, the fourth window winners will receive their grants and technical support through the Tanzania dLab, which will carry on the work of DLI in years to come.

Giving his remarks about the challenge results, Mr. Agapiti Manday, the DLI Project Manager said, “We finally have the winners of the DLI Fourth Challenge Window after a thorough screening process as we had about 41 finalists who pitched; out of them 9 have been selected as winners.” He added, “We’re very excited to see their innovative ideas turn to be the best solutions that will help solve many community level problems and have direct impact in our local communities.”

After being selected as one of the winners, Ms. Linda Mlunde commented, “I’m very excited that DLI gave me this opportunity.” She added, “I’m also looking forward to implementing my idea so that it can bring positive impact to my community.” Read more about Ms. Mlunde and the other challenge winners here.

The DLI Innovation Challenge has already awarded more than USD 1.1 million in grants to 37 winners from the first three Challenge Windows. These previous windows aimed at reducing the risks of HIV/AIDS and improving healthcare services in the local communities in Tanzania, as well as increasing youth employment. Learn more about how these grantees are leveraging data to tackle health challenges through the Winner Profiles for the 1st Challenge, 2nd Challenge, and 3rd Challenge.

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