We are searching for 20 exceptional youth from the Sahel Region who will win an opportunity to pitch their innovative solutions to a panel of judges at the YouthConnekt Sahel Forum.

#SahelInnovateChallenge is a flagship initiative of the YouthConnekt Sahel Forum designed to promote and showcase the innovation and resilience of young Sahelians driving the region’s transformation. It fosters an association of creativity and innovation with the region, shifting from the overemphasized conflict and poverty-stricken narrative.

Eligibility

You are eligible if you:

• Are 35 or younger
• Have a demonstrable and tested innovative solution (including the number of people impacted) in the Sahel region in any of the following challenge tracks:

1. Digital Transformation
2. COVID-19 Response and Recovery
3. Health
4. Education
5. Peace and Security
6. Cultural and Creative Arts
7. Agroforestry
8. Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

• Are a national and currently residing in one of the UNISS Sahel countries (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, The Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, and Senegal).

Selected applicants will receive:

• An opportunity to pitch your solution to business leaders and a panel of judges.
• Fully funded participation at the forum

How to apply?

• In less than 120 seconds (2 Minutes), record a video introducing yourself, your solution and its impact in the Sahel region.
• Fill out the form @ https://forms.gle/9VYg6xm4w4nsNy9x9.

Note that your video can be submitted in English or French.

Instructions for the Video

• It should be shot in “landscape/widescreen” mode.
• Provide an introduction of yourself – name, nationality and age.
• Provide an introduction of your innovative solution – description and impact so far (including the number of people impacted).

The deadline for applications is 21^st November 2021

All the best with your submissions!

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About YouthConnekt Sahel Forum

The Youth Connekt Sahel Forum is an extension of the YouthConnekt Africa Summit that convenes youth from across the Sahel – Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, The Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, and Senegal.

It provides opportunities for Sahelian youth to engage with policy influencers, business and political leaders and development institutions. It also emboldens young people in the region to own their development narrative - discuss, design, accelerate youth empowerment efforts, and ultimately rebrand the Sahel as a land of opportunities and investment.

The YouthConnekt Sahel Forum will hold from 30 November – 3 December 2021  in Dakar, Senegal.

For physical or virtual participation, register here https://youthconnektafrica.org/sahel/user/register

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