Sawa World’s Post

In 2019, DevLearn conducted a comprehensive mid-term review on Innovations Against Poverty (IAP) II, a fund that challenges private sector companies to innovate products, services and business models that benefit people living in poverty while delivering commercial benefits for the private sector. The programme supports companies operating in multiple sectors in 🇰🇭 Cambodia, 🇪🇹 Ethiopia, 🇺🇬 Uganda, and 🇿🇲 Zambia. 📝 This evaluation used a range of assessment methods, including stakeholder interviews and field visits, to evaluate the programme's performance and provide recommendations. These insights are particularly beneficial for MEL practitioners and individuals involved in inclusive economic growth initiatives. The report highlights several key recommendations: 🔸 Concentrate efforts: To enhance impact and prevent diluted efforts, we recommended focusing on fewer countries and sectors while streamlining cross-cutting themes like gender equity. This approach helps to optimize resources and effectiveness. 🎯 🔹 Revise funding strategies: We suggested revising grant funding strategies by setting caps for early-stage innovations and exploring alternative financing options, such as commercial debt or equity finance, for scaling proven projects. 🔸 Customize non-financial support: We emphasized the need for flexible, tailored non-financial support that aligns with the specific needs of each firm and the local investment ecosystem. This approach maximizes value for money and overall program impact. 🤝 🔹 Simplify milestone processes: Streamlining milestone processes, allowing extended timelines for higher-level milestones, and shifting to a results-based payment system can significantly improve administrative efficiency and reduce bureaucratic burdens. For more in-depth insights, check out the full evaluation report attached below. #ResultsBasedApproach #EvaluationInsights #DevLearning #MELPractitioners

Three ministers. Youth. One table. One agenda. Face to face. One word: Historic! We’re raising the bar with each series of the National Youth Conversations. This time, we’re bringing not one, not two, but three ministers for a fireside chat with the youth. The goal? To find real solutions, set clear timelines, and secure commitments to unlock youth economic empowerment and job creation opportunities for MW 2063. This is what the National Youth Conversations are all about—bringing decision-makers, job-seeking youth, aspiring entrepreneurs, financiers, policymakers, educators, and business leaders together to collaborate on innovative solutions and share insights. At the National Youth Council, we’re fully committed to championing youth engagement, empowerment, and leadership across Malawi. Let’s make it happen! Koma mwakonzeka? #MalawiYouthConversations #YouthVoicesMw #MW2063 #youthjobsmw Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TEVETA) AGRA Small & Medium Enterprises Development Institute National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) National Planning Commission of Malawi GIZ Malawi Zantchito Malawi mHub Sam kawale Rex Chapota Monica Changanamuno United Nations UNICEF Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

EMPOWERING UGANDA'S YOUTH: SKILLS AMIDST FINANCIAL CHALLENGES Today, let's discuss a vital topic: equipping Uganda's youth with essential skills in business, agriculture, and technology, despite financial constraints. In Uganda, as in many places worldwide, youth unemployment remains a pressing issue. It's crucial to ensure that every young person has access to opportunities that prepare them for the future, regardless of economic circumstances. Here’s how we can make a difference: Community Support: Highlighting the role of local NGOs and community centers offering free or low-cost vocational training in trades like plumbing, tailoring, and sustainable agriculture. Digital Access Initiatives: Exploring partnerships to expand access to online learning platforms and digital literacy programs, ensuring that all youth can develop crucial tech skills. Parental Engagement: Encouraging parents to create supportive learning environments at home, utilizing resources like community libraries and participating in educational activities. Let's brainstorm and share ideas on how we can empower Uganda's youth, together creating pathways to success and resilience. Every contribution counts towards building a brighter future for our next generation! Join the conversation: What initiatives have you seen or been involved in that empower youth facing financial challenges? Share your insights and let's inspire positive change together. #YouthEmpowerment #SkillsDevelopment #UgandaRising #CommunityEngagement

The future of our economies lies in the hands of the youth. Their innovation, creativity, and energy are crucial in driving growth and prosperity in our societies. That's why it is so encouraging to see the emphasis on youth participation in all economic spheres in the national development strategy 1. By including young people in decision-making processes, we not only tap into their fresh perspectives and ideas but also ensure that policies and strategies are inclusive and reflective of the needs and aspirations of all segments of society. Empowering youth to be active participants in the economy not only benefits them individually but also contributes to the overall development and success of our nations. As leaders and stakeholders, it is our responsibility to create opportunities for young people to thrive in the workforce, entrepreneurship, and other economic activities. Through mentorship, training, and access to resources, we can help them unlock their full potential and make a meaningful impact on the economy. Let's continue to support and prioritize youth involvement in all economic spheres. Together, we can build a more sustainable and prosperous future for all. #YouthEmpowerment #EconomicDevelopment #NationalDevelopmentStrategy1 #Youth4integrity Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development ZIMCODD Youth Empowerment and Transformation Trust (YETT)

Thank you Andrew Dabalen for sharing these perspectives from an African/World Bank analytics POV. When you talked about Absenteeism and Presenteeism of Teachers as one of the challenges of quality education across the African context I agree, and mentioning Edo states in Nigeria as one example where teachers are tracked in real time; using advanced technology in tracking if teachers and learners are in their schools and delivering real time instruction, lesson completion and pedagogy — I can attest to this fact, I managed the particular program spearheading that at the Basic Education Level across the state, it was fantastic, hopefully such programs is scaled across. My question is in two folds; as you may know, Nigeria has not allocated 20% of the budget to education in the last 10 years according to Quality Education Development Associates (QEDA), the 2024 budget was recorded at 6.4% of the total budget, and 8.8% in 2023, and I agree, Higher Education always takes the larger chunk of that. Here are my questions: 📍 1. Is there a specific law, edict or act from global bodies that handcuffs the respective governments to invest at least the recommended 20% annual budget to education while seeing to rational distribution, implementation and accountability? 2. Is this maybe time to consider Disruptive Education Models for the Global South? Technology is big aid when it comes to democratizing access, it can be a blessing, if we’re thinking in this way. Can we begin to transition into Public-Private Partnerships to save the African education systems? Please do weigh in and let’s share best practices, I look forward to thoughts, ideas and collaborative actions. Thank you for sharing Ramah Nyang, your analysis of the education situation as it is, was excellent.

The majority of Rwanda’s population is between the ages of 14 and 35. Investing in youth is key to the country's future. That’s why CRS Rwanda is thrilled to partner with the Ministry of Youth and Arts | Rwanda and others to organize #YouthConnekt2024 under the theme “Jobs for Youth through Innovative Skills.”   During the event, CRS will lead a roundtable discussion on Youth Access to Finance for Rural Youth Entrepreneurs, highlighting the importance of financial inclusion in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, such as poverty reduction and economic growth. CRS is looking forward to key recommendations from the session that will help develop financial solutions for both rural youths, and strengthen partnerships between governments, the private sector, and development partners to address financial access issues faced by rural youth. CRS will also lead a breakout session that will explore innovative pricing models and financing mechanisms that enable youth to access necessary business support services. In Rwanda, CRS currently supports over 32,965 rural youth with digital and in-person resources to enhance digital literacy and access to business development and financial services. We are also proud of our young entrepreneurs, showcasing their business products and sharing how CRS’s support has helped their businesses thrive. Read more about our work in Rwanda ⬇️. Utumatwishima Jean Nepo Abdallah Solange Tetero

🌟 Empowering Women, Transforming Communities: Join Us at Friends of Fizi Kabiria! In a community where 43% of Nairobi's population lives below the poverty line and 50% faces daily food insecurity, we're launching an exciting initiative to break the cycle of poverty through women's economic empowerment. ✨ Our Mission: We're seeking collaborators for our women's entrepreneurship program at Fizi School, Kabiria. This initiative will equip vulnerable mothers with vital skills to establish sustainable family businesses, directly impacting: • Food security for their children • Educational continuity • Community economic resilience 🎯 Project Focus: • Skills development workshops • Tailoring training • Digital literacy programs • Entrepreneurship mentoring • Access to education opportunities 💪 Why It Matters: By empowering one woman, we strengthen entire families. When mothers can provide, children stay in school and communities thrive. 🤝 How You Can Help: Whether you're an: • Entrepreneur willing to mentor • Skills trainer • Digital literacy expert • Resource provider • Or simply passionate about women's empowerment Your expertise can make a difference! 📧 Ready to create impact? Contact us at contact@fizischool.com to learn more about collaboration opportunities. Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient Kabiria community. #WomenEmpowerment #CommunityDevelopment #SocialImpact #Kenya #SkillsDevelopment #Entrepreneurship

🌍 ✨ Empowering young adolescents to advocate for, and take action on the SDGs by the United Nations is essential for fostering a sustainable, equitable, and prosperous future. It ensures that the next generation is prepared, motivated, and equipped to continue the work towards achieving these global goals. With the opportunity afforded me through my participation in the SDG Advocacy Programme by UN SDSN Youth - Nigeria and SDSN Youth by extension, I explicitly taught the key components of the 2030 agenda to these young change makers of Anglican Comprehensive Secondary School, Kubwa, Abuja Nigeria. The key components of the 2030 agenda being: 1. People 👫 End poverty and hunger in all forms, ensuring that all human beings can fulfill their potential in dignity and equality and in a healthy environment. 2. Planet 🌎 Protect the planet from degradation through sustainable consumption and production, managing natural resources, and taking urgent action on climate change to support the needs of present and future generations. 3. Prosperity 💰 Ensuring that all people can enjoy prosperous and fulfilling lives and that economic, social, and technological progress occurs in harmony with nature. 4. Peace ☮️ Promote peaceful, just, and inclusive societies free from fear and violence. As there can be no sustainable development without peace, and no peace without sustainable development. 5. Partnership ♾️ Global partnership for sustainable development, based on a spirit of strengthened global solidarity, focused on the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable, and with the participation of all countries, stakeholders, and people. These young change makers also took a pledge to promote and educate others around them about the SDG goals. With so much to look forward to, and as we approach 2030, I commit to helping young individuals interested in making active contributions to the attainment of the global goals, understand the dynamics and core principles, while also helping them find their place as they engage. ✨🤍🌍 #sdggoals #2030agenda #nopoverty #zerohunger #genderequality #reducedinequalities #goodhealthandwellbeing #climateaction

The last statement summarizes Africa's problem - research. When we allocate to education, that should include a generous allocation to research especially longitudinal studies. I do not mean research by corporate bodies, I mean making enough funding available to competent individuals who can commit to long term critical studies. With research, we can see what the gaps are and where they are exactly, and then generate ideas for solutions.

Between 1970 and 2024, the number of children in primary school across sub-Saharan Africa rose roughly 10 times. But if 9 out of every 10 children are classified to be in learning poverty by the end of their time in primary school, and just 1 out of every 10 are assessed as having a minimum level of math competence - what exactly are we #teaching hundreds of millions of children across the continent? “There has been a lot of money devoted towards #education,” Andrew Dabalen, Chief Economist, Africa Region at The World Bank, tells me, “but there is no #accountability. There is not a lot of assessment being done to figure out if these kids are making the right progress, at the right age, at the right level.” The October 2024 edition of Africa’s Pulse from Andrew & the team makes for very grim reading for any policy maker who’s serious about trying to set up a competent, agile workforce in an SSA economy that can out-compete economies in East Asia. “The current pace of improvement,” the report’s authors warn, “is insufficient to position Africa’s children & youth to thrive in the 21st century.” Worth reading the whole thing, here: https://lnkd.in/eRw-6YQn #learningcrisis #africa #humancapitaldevelopment