Funzi’s Post

Here is an incredible opportunity - for #edutech entrepreneurs: Innovation Edge 🇿🇦 has put out an open-call for funding and the closing date for this slate of funding is September 30. #InnovationEdge is an impact-first investor focused on solving early childhood challenges in South Africa. Literacy is the biggie and for this funding call, the field is wide open in terms of platforms - so for example -if you have an idea for a mobile app to improve literacy- here is your chance to apply and if you are successful- you may get the funding to make it happen. Not only do you get the funding but beyond that is the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young South Africans and their parents and caregivers. Awesome. Successful applicants have the opportunity to receive up to R1.5 million in funding. Click on link for details. Innovation Edge Clayton Morar https://lnkd.in/dWtZCFEK #thecaperobyn #educationforall #southafricaliteracy

This week's 'Impact Startups to Watch' are working on refugees' and newcomers' resilience and inclusion. From providing financial and educational solutions to helping validate academic performance and support career management, these innovative solutions contribute to a more inclusive society and better integration. Welcome Account 🏦 is a fintech startup and a community-driven neobank that provides simple and inclusive financial solutions for all newcomers arriving in Europe. Mygrants is a web app created to unleash the full potential of migrants through training courses based on microlearning. Bloom Money is an app that enables migrants to build financial resilience in their communities in a safe and ethical way. The Bloom app allows users to easily run and manage a money club. Geoidentity is a universal study validation system that integrates academic data into passports, ensuring education accessibility and providing solutions for displaced individuals who lose access to essential personal documents due to wars, persecution, and climate crises. Niya is an AI Career Management Platform that simplifies career pursuits for refugees and migrants by combining networking, training, and job opportunities offers and provides free AI-generated career pathways, connecting users with the right people, skills, and jobs based on their background and career aspirations. #impactentrepreneurship #refugees #newcomers

Reflecting on a Year of Impact: CodeYourFuture's Digital Literacy Programme 2023 As we close the chapter on an incredible 2023 at CodeYourFuture's Digital Literacy Programme (DLP), I am proud to share the remarkable strides we've made. Expanding Horizons: This year, we've delivered 9 cohorts across varied communities, impacting 128 unique trainees. Our programme’s geographical footprint extended beyond local boundaries, marking a significant milestone with our first international cohort in South Africa. Language Inclusivity: Understanding the diversity of our trainees, we ran the programme in Afghan Dari and Spanish. This not only enhanced accessibility but also reinforced our commitment to embracing cultural diversity. Programme Impact: Our trainees' demographics reflect the programme’s inclusivity, with nearly equal gender representation and a wide age range. Most notably, over 60% of our trainees were asylum seekers or refugees. Tech Adaptability: A key observation was the predominant use of Android devices among our trainees. This insight has been crucial in tailoring our training approach, ensuring that our volunteers are equipped to assist with a variety of platforms. Volunteer Excellence: None of this would have been possible without our dedicated volunteers. This year, we onboarded over 20 new volunteers, adding to our team of dynamic individuals who are the backbone of our programme. Their dedication and expertise have been instrumental in delivering quality education and support to our trainees. Building Partnerships: Our network of over 14 referral partners has been pivotal in connecting us with diverse communities. These partnerships have not only helped in hosting cohorts but also in amplifying our reach and impact. Looking Ahead: As we step into 2024, our focus is on regional and international expansion, enhanced curriculum development, and harnessing our volunteer network for increased programme delivery. We are committed to scaling up our efforts, driven by the goal of empowering more individuals with digital skills and confidence. This journey has been nothing short of inspiring. It's a testament to what we can achieve when we come together with a shared vision of empowering communities through digital literacy. A huge thank you to our volunteers, partners, and everyone involved in making 2023 a year of significant impact and growth. Here's to continuing this journey in 2024 and beyond, reaching more learners, and making a lasting difference in the world of digital literacy! #CodeYourFuture #DigitalLiteracy #Empowerment #CommunityImpact #DigitalSkills #VolunteerPower #InclusiveEducation #TechForGood

Day 14: Today I have spent much of the day writing a fundraising application with Nadera, an Afghan woman in the UK who used to teach digital skills in Kabul. Nadera is now keen to teach the dozens of Afghan women - in their own language - how to navigate a computer and use it to push their lives forward and participate in society. She has been doing this informally for weeks and the results are incredible. Women who spoke no English and were scared to go outside are now working full-time jobs. Tech skills facilitate participation in society and are a life-changing tool. Integration is a two-way street - both immigrants and the state have to make an authentic endeavour to make things work. It is warming to see that the former is sticking to the deal even while the latter renages. Screen Share proved last year that it is possible - with the right language support, patience and a bit of technical creativity - to teach digital skills remotely. But this project is Nadera's idea. She has designed it, it is rooted in her personal experience, relationships and community and it relies on her trilingualism - these are good ingredients. It is sad that the white man has to come along and promote and try to facilitate such good work - I am treading extremely carefully - but if I can secure the future of this programme and provide a framework for the classes to continue on a fair and just basis, creating change for dozens of people who yearn for it, I will have done a good job. If you know someone looking to fund a community-led digital skills group, drop me a message.

Erasmus + Capacity Building Project in the Youth Category "Upskill and Reconnect!" The project's idea is to enhance the key skills of young people aged 15–19 and their sense of responsibility towards the local community by placing them in the role of mentors for senior citizens (aged 60–70) to improve their digital literacy. To achieve this, the consortium around this project will: • Prepare an educational program defining the competencies necessary for young people to successfully mentor seniors. • Create training for youth workers to provide them with the knowledge and tools to develop these selected competencies in young people. • Develop a mentorship program for young people, where youth workers will train them to mentor seniors. • Create a guide for organizing "hackathons" for seniors, where they can showcase the digital skills they have acquired after mentorship. The project will involve three youth workers (individuals involved in youth education) from each of the six participating countries: Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Morocco. After completing the training formulated through the project, the youth workers will work with 30 young people in their respective countries, empowering them to become mentors in the subsequent training for seniors. We will strive to include young people from various geographical areas, including some from smaller or rural areas, and hope to include members of marginalized groups, such as migrants and national minorities. Trained young people will have the opportunity to meet the seniors they will mentor through an activity we will organize – living labs. This will provide a chance to examine issues of rapid acceleration, technologization, and digitalization of life from the perspectives of different groups of citizens, both young and old. The aim is to sensitize young people to the needs of seniors and the challenges they face in the modern world. In this way, young people, as future drivers of societal development, can take an active role in solving community problems, fostering responsible citizenship. It is expected that these unique experiences will significantly improve the skills of young project participants, contributing to their employability. It will also provide valuable experiences for youth workers. Representatives of young mentors from all participating countries will gather at an international youth exchange at the end of the project to share experiences gained through the project and organize workshops to transfer the skills they acquired to local youth. The participating organizations in the project are: Coordinator: • Mensa Serbia Partners: • Smart Idea – Slovenia • Youthfully Yours – Slovakia • Edukopro – Bosnia and Herzegovina • ECOM – Montenegro • AEFDS – Morocco The project is co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ program.

📣 Pilot Testing: Academy of Entrepreneurship, Greece 📣 We are thrilled to share the latest progress on our pilot testing with local trainers of immigrants and newcomers in EU. The materials for the pilot included a Welcome Package, a Train-The-Trainer Manual 1 and 2, prepared by Desinova Studios. Academy of Entrepreneurship (AKEP.EU) received valuable feedback from trainers and participants, and here are some insights from the event: 🔹 Welcome Package The participants in the pilot evaluated that tailoring the welcome package to different contexts and target groups is crucial for its effectiveness. While it may work well for people in closed facilities, it requires significant changes when targeting asylum seekers in urban areas. Regular updates are also necessary due to changing support mechanisms. Additionally, considering the actual needs of the recipients is essential, as some elements, like yoga, might not be meaningful to them. The participants concluded that in closed facilities, the tailored package can serve as an induction tool, fostering relationships and attracting residents to participate in workshops. For immigrants, it can provide a sense of inclusion and support, ultimately assisting trainers in their roles. 🔹 Train-the-Trainer Manual 1 The train-the-trainer manual 1 was perceived generally clear and self-explanatory. Considering the target audience's potential trauma, extending the workshop to two days and allocating more time for reflection was seen as beneficial. The "mingle" social experience may also be challenging for individuals with potential trauma. 🔹 Train-the-Trainer Manual 2 The self-explanatory nature of the 2-hour workshop program and immigrant-tailored instructions was perceived as sufficient. For experienced trainers, the instructions may not be necessary, as they follow a typical process when working with refugees. However, for inexperienced trainers, the instructions can be useful. Read more about our pilots and the materials at 👉 eneuerasmus.com! #WelcomePackage #Immigrantintegration #Inclusion #TrainerSupport Desinova Studios Academy of Entrepreneurship (AKEP.EU) PRISM Impresa Sociale s.r.l. SYNTHESIS Center for Research & Education Glocal Factory Oslo International Hub

Our coding programs provide refugees with the essential tech skills they need to thrive in their new communities. By equipping them with the tools and knowledge to navigate the digital world, we are opening doors to education, employment, and a sense of belonging. With each line of code they learn, refugees are not only gaining valuable skills but also reclaiming their agency and independence. For refugees, coding represents a beacon of hope and a pathway to a brighter future. It's a means of overcoming language barriers, cultural differences, and economic obstacles. Through coding, they can transform their lives and contribute to the tech industry while also fostering connections and understanding within their new homes. Join us in our mission to empower refugees and help them build stable and prosperous futures. Together, we're harnessing the universal language of code to create opportunities and build bridges across communities. #Wominjeka #CodingForOpportunity #Refugees

Be a ChangeMaker: Volunteers Wanted for IT Workshops with Refugees Join the CodeYourPath team as a volunteer and make a difference in the lives of refugees and migrants by helping them learn essential IT skills. Who We Are CodeYourPath is an educational initiative founded in March 2023 by Sanjar Hoshimi, a refugee living in Poland. Our mission at CodeYourPath is to empower refugees and migrants in Poland through comprehensive IT education and career opportunities. Over the past year, approximately 20 volunteers from different countries have contributed to our cause. We are currently in the process of registering CodeYourPath as a foundation, which will open up possibilities for financial support as an NGO. What We've Achieved In the last year, we've assisted over 20 refugees in learning IT skills and the English language. Twelve of our active mentees have successfully completed their mentorship and are now seeking their first job. Our Plans for 2024 January - March: 📌 Organize a series of workshops (both offline and online) on programming and digital marketing. 📌 Planned topics include Basics of the Internet and Computer Operation, Basics of Digital Marketing, Basics of Programming (HTML, CSS, Python), Developing Multimedia Skills, Basics of Cybersecurity, and Using AI Tools in Daily Life. These workshops aim to promote IT education among refugees and migrants, motivating them to learn. We have space and 12 computers for offline workshops at the Multicultural Center in Warsaw and are in need of volunteers to help facilitate them. We aim to organize these workshops at least twice a week, with a duration of 3 hours each. The curriculum can be prepared with the help of volunteers based on their knowledge and experience. Our working language is English, but knowledge of Russian, Ukrainian, or Polish by volunteers would be beneficial. After receiving volunteer applications, we will contact each applicant to discuss the next steps. Apply Now➡[ https://lnkd.in/gA6Ji92n] April - November: 📌 Launch the second edition of the mentoring program in a new and efficient form, covering six directions: Digital Marketing, FrontEnd, Low-code, Data Analysis, Cybersecurity, and Design. 📌 We plan to involve 6-8 mentees in each of the six directions and have two paid mentors for each direction to provide continuous support. If you wish to join us as a mentor-volunteer, please fill out the form bellow. Even if you don't live in Warsaw, we also need volunteers for organizing online workshops and mentorship courses. JOIN US TODAY➡[https://lnkd.in/gA6Ji92n ] Your financial contribution supports our initiatives. Every donation contributes to building a stronger, more inclusive tech community. 💱 Donate Now ➡ [https://zrzutka.pl/xrae6y] Share our mission on social media and let your network know about the meaningful work we are doing. ♻ #volunteer #refugeeswelcome #education #programming #mentorship #workshops #CodeYourPath #techeducation

Key points: 1. Addressing Education in Crisis Situations: The initiative focuses on the critical need for educational solutions in regions affected by conflict and displacement. This highlights a growing area of concern where technology can play a significant role in providing continuity in education for displaced children. 2. Technology as a Tool for Education in Refugee Camps: The Can't Wait to Learn program, which uses tablets and mobile devices to deliver education, demonstrates the potential of technology to bridge gaps in traditional education systems, especially in under-resourced areas like refugee camps. 3. Local Community Involvement in EdTech Solutions: The program's unique approach of involving local learners in creating educational content underscores the importance of culturally relevant and context-specific learning materials. This could be a model for developing educational technology that resonates more deeply with its users. 4. Impact on Learning Outcomes: The reported success of the program, particularly in improving numeracy skills and bridging the gender gap in education, provides evidence of the effectiveness of technology-based learning solutions in challenging environments. 5. Research-Driven Approach to EdTech Implementation: The initiative's research, supported by GPE KIX, into the roles of various stakeholders in sustainable education delivery emphasizes the need for evidence-based strategies in the implementation of educational technology. 6. Challenges of Scaling EdTech in Diverse Contexts: The insight that a "one size fits all" approach does not work in scaling technology programs highlights the complexity of implementing EdTech solutions across different cultural and administrative landscapes. 7. Government and NGO Collaboration: The endorsement by Chad's Ministry of Education and the call for NGO support in scaling the program indicate the importance of collaborative efforts between governments, NGOs, and private companies in addressing educational challenges in crisis-affected areas. 8. Potential for Addressing Learning Poverty: The significant reduction in learning poverty rates through the program suggests that targeted educational technology initiatives can make a substantial impact in regions with high rates of educational deprivation.

While about 117.3 million people across the globe are compelled to escape bombs, bullets, tyrants, and a thousand memories in the hope of a better future in a distant land, the “better future” often halts at meeting the basic needs of food and shelter. What about their education and the later progress – A rising concern among governmental agencies and social welfare organizations today! Indeed, imparting education to refugees comes with a multitude of challenges, from language barriers and emotional trauma to lack of access to formal schooling. This is where various EdTech solutions are coming into action, enlightening the path to hope for refugees! – Solar-powered devices like SolarSPELL are providing access to learning resources and digital technologies in refugee camps with limited electricity. – Non-profits like Sesame Workshop are utilizing interactive games and multimedia tools to teach essential skills to refugee children. – Language learning apps like Duolingo and AILEM and translation tools like Tarjimly are enabling refugees and immigrants to topple the language barriers in a foreign land, especially those who do not have access to traditional language learning resources.  – Social learning platforms like EduApp4Syria and mental health apps like  ALMHAR are supporting the psychosocial well-being of refugees and immigrants in Norway, Germany, and other low/middle-income countries! Primebook India believes that if the edTechs can continue this promising practice with diligence and care, assuring equitable access to technology and integrating more edTech solutions into the existing education systems, the pathway to a brighter future can be laid for all refugees in this world.    #EdTechForRefugeeEmpowerment #RefugeeEducation #SocialWelfare #EquitableAccessToTechnology #PrimebookIndia