SAVE THE CHILDREN LAUNCHES HALF A MILLION SHILLING DIGITAL INNOVATION CHALLENGE TARGETING 18-35 YEAR-OLDS
Nairobi, 19 December 2022 - Save the Children has today launched its first digital innovation challenge in Kenya targeting Kenya’s youth and students from institutions of higher learning.
The innovation challenge offers an opportunity to 18 to 35 year olds to come up with unique digital solutions to organizational level feedback mechanism, scientific or indigenous technology for strengthening community resilience and access to quality education for children born to nomads, out of school children, and boys and girls in informal settlements in Kenya.
The youth are required to submit a digital solution that addresses any of the challenges indicated or a prototype of a digital solution that addresses the same.
The challenge aims at recognizing and awarding youth who are innovative in tackling problems that are facing children and young people in the communities. Registered students from tertiary institutions – universities, technical and vocational education training (TVET) institutions and Kenyan youth (18-35 years) are encouraged to participate in this innovation challenge.
"We are very passionate about young people and the unique ideas they have, to solve current world challenges. This innovation challenge has the potential to tap into innovative solutions for everyday problems that affect our country from young people in Kenya. We understand that the youth have remarkable ideas and want to work with them to bring these ideas to life," said Yvonne Arunga, Save the Children Kenya and Madagascar Country Director.
Save the Children has prioritized digital transformation in all its interventions and is considered an enabler of our 2022-2024 Global Strategy and our 2030 ambition to ensure children survive, learn and are protected.
"Digital transformation is important for us as it helps enhance the quality and reach of our programs, strengthen our capability to measure progress, enhance the efficiency of our operations and better protect children and address inequalities in access to digital technology. I want to urge young people who are interested in joining this challenge to submit their digital solutions or prototypes before the 31st of January," said Hellen Owiti, Director of Program Development and Quality at Save the Children Kenya and Madagascar.
The winners of the challenge stand a chance of winning up to half a million shillings. Apart from the cash prize, the winners also have a chance to collaborate with Save the Children to customize and scale up the digital innovation or get a 12-month fellowship program to develop and implement the solution further.
"The evaluation of submissions shall be guided with the following indicators: originality, creativity, viability, impact and conformance to the principles of digital development. I invite Kenyan youth interested in solution-based developments in the areas listed to take up this challenge and showcase their brilliant ideas," said Hellen Owiti, Programme Development and Quality Director, Save the Children Kenya and Madagascar.
The winner will be announced in March 2023.
KENYA DIGITAL INNOVATION CHALLENGE
A: Introduction
Save the Children Kenya is inviting students (tertiary institutions) and youth (18-35 years) to participate in a digital innovation challenge by highlighting innovative technologies/ solutions with potential to significantly or positively solve the identified challenges and address social injustice in the areas of operation. The organization is looking for technology enthusiasts with a passion to transform the society through digital innovation.
B: Goal
To generate relevant digital ideas, technologies, and innovative approaches to solving prioritized problems in the areas of operations of Save the children Kenya. The aim is to identify solutions with high impact to address societal injustices and improve service delivery in health and education.
C: Areas of focus
Save the children is looking for innovative/ novel ideas, prototype and or applications to solve any of the problems listed below
# | Technical Area | Sub thematic areas |
1 | Organization level feedback mechanism | A citizen feedback mechanism is aimed to increase voices of communities/citizens in organizational or government decision making processes in order to increase their inclusiveness, participation and responsiveness to their needs. A robust citizen feedback mechanism determines the impact of interventions and areas of improvement enabling the low resource setting regions and beneficiaries’ to provide feedback on interventions |
2 | Strengthening community resilience through technology | a) Integrating Indigenous and Scientific Technology to strengthen community resilience (Integrating technologies such as e-GIS Smart and climate-resilient indigenous peoples landscape and community clearing house mechanism solutions through smart phone applications to help facilitate Indigenous Peoples’ contribution to climate resilience building within their communities in terms of biodiversity and poverty eradication) |
3 | Quality education for marginalized communities in nomadic areas, out of school children and those in informal settlements | a) Increasing access to safe, inclusive and quality education for vulnerable and marginalized boys and girls affected by gender inequalities, ethnicity, displacement, climate shocks and other emergencies.
(The focus is on reducing gender inequalities in education at ECD and basic education levels, designing contextualized, safe, and inclusive and gender sensitive innovative teaching and learning methods (pedagogies), ending violence against children, positive parenting, public investment in children, Teacher Professional Development, policy influence and advocacy, Education in Emergencies, Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience in Education and Comprehensive school safety. |
D: Expectations of the digital innovation challenge participants
a) Digital Solution that addresses any of the challenges indicated
b) Prototype of a digital solution that addresses any of the challenges (Ideas must be supported by a prototype)
E: Target Groups
The following will be allowed to participate in the digital innovation challenge
a) Students in tertiary institutions - University, TVETs, (Local public and private Institutions)
b) Non students Kenyan citizens (18-35 years)
F: Winners reward
An objective evaluation shall be done by a competent multidiscipline experts drawn from within the sector and organization. The winners shall be rewarded as follows:-
a) Winner: Cash prize KES 250,000
b) 1st Runners up: Cash Prize KES 150,000
c) 2nd Runners up: Cash prize KES 100,000
Upon completion of the digital challenge, the winners may be selected for the following depending on the verdict of the evaluation committee
a) Collaboration/ Support by SCI to customize and scale up the digital initiative
b) A 12 month fellowship program to develop the solution further and implement in the organization
c) Internship program by the organization to improve and support other initiatives within the organization
G: Eligibility Criteria
Category | Eligibility Criteria |
Students | Must be a registered student in any tertiary institutions public or private in Kenya |
Individuals | Kenyan citizens between the age of 18- 35 years |
H: Evaluation Criteria
The following indices shall be used as evaluation metrics for the challenge
a) Originality - A first of its kind, never existed before
b) Creativity – New ideas or approaches, improvement of a concept or already existing solutions
c) Viability – Positive gain to the society
d) Impact – Significant positive change to the society
e) Conformance to the principles of digital development (please use the link to read about the principles and ensure that your innovation conforms to all the 9 principles)
Stages of evaluation
Phase | Activities |
Phase 1: Initial Evaluation | a) Following the online submission, the applications will go through a first review and screening by the evaluation committee b) This review will be carried out by appointed experts from SCI and any participating organizations, partners and stakeholders c) This review starts with an eligibility and exclusion screening. The applicants that do not comply with these criteria shall be notified and dropped off d) A shortlist of 10 best ranked digital applications shall be identified per category e) Each identified individual shortlisted shall be notified about their qualification and invited to submit an executive summary (3-5 pages maximum) of their innovation and participate in Phase 2 through the link that will be provided on the information poster |
Phase 2: Digital challenge workshop | a) The shortlisted finalists will be invited to pitch their idea in front of a panel of experts b) Representatives from the organization, Industry Leaders with experience and knowledge in the fields of digital transformation, digital services, and business strategies shall conduct the evaluations at this stage c) The top 3 digital tools shall be selected from each category d) The 3 finalists in each thematic area shall them present their ideas/ Concepts/ digital solutions to all the evaluators and the top five (5) digital solutions/ ideas selected |
Phase 3: Winner Announcement & Award | a) The top five ideas shall be presented by the participants in an auditorium b) 1st, 2nd and 3rd winners shall be announced c) Award ceremony d) Close of the digital challenge |
DIGITAL INNOVATION CHALLENGE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- 1. Does the Digital innovation have to be youth-led?
Yes. The Digital Innovation Challenge is only accepting youth-led innovations, and youth technology enthusiasts with a passion to transform the society through digital innovation.
- 2. Will this challenge be exclusive to Kenyan Nationals only?
Yes. The Digital Innovation Challenge will be accepting applications from
- Kenyan Students in tertiary institutions - University, TVETs, (Local public and private Institutions)
- Non students Kenyan citizens (18-35 years)
- 3. Who will the primary audience for the proposed Digital Innovation be?
The primary audience for innovation will be the marginalized people in Kenya for who we require solutions to the challenges they face such as access to quality education for people’s such as nomadic communities, out of school children and those in informal settlements; effects of climate change and enabling such to have a voice such to be heard through robust feedback mechanisms.
- 4. Why are you focusing on youth-led innovations for robust feedback mechanisms, scientific or indigenous technology for strengthening community resilience and quality education for nomads, out of school children, and boys and girls in informal settlements?
Investing in and engaging young people is critical to achieving our country development goals and Vision 2030, and it is key to improving their wellbeing. Innovation and creativity can also help young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to become resources in co-creating solutions that give them access to society and harnessing the possibilities of Kenyan youth for the transformation of the continent.
- 5. I am a Save the Children staff, partner staff, employed staff or supplier for Save the Children, can I apply?
No. The challenge is only open to University Students and Non Student Kenyan Citizens aged between 18 to 35 years.
- What is a Feedback Mechanism? A citizen feedback mechanism is aimed to increase voices of communities/citizens in organizational or government decision making processes in order to increase their inclusiveness, participation and responsiveness to their needs. A robust citizen feedback mechanism determines the impact of interventions and areas of improvement enabling the low resource setting regions and beneficiaries’ to provide feedback on interventions
- 7. What language(s) will submissions be accepted in?
Submissions will be accepted in English. We strongly encourage submissions from University students and non-students.
- 8. Is there a limit on the number of submissions per person or group?
There is no limit to the number of submissions per person or group. However, only one submission per person/ group would ultimately be awarded in the competition.
- 9. Can we apply as a group of university students or group of unemployed youths (18-35)?
Yes. You can apply as a group, and share the prize, but ultimately group winners may only be selected for Collaboration/ Support by SCI to customize and scale up the digital initiative depending on the verdict of the evaluation committee.
- 10. Is there a timeline and process for decision making regarding this digital innovation challenge?
Yes. The timelines, eligibility criteria, and evaluation process has been included in the Digital Innovation Challenge Guidelines found on our website, https://kenya.savethechildren.net/.
The timeline for submission however, is January 31st, 2023.
- 11. Are the innovations we will be presenting dependent on the reality or context of our environment?
Yes. The innovations should aim to solve relatable and current challenges within these three area of focus: organizational level feedback mechanism, scientific or indigenous technology for strengthening community resilience and access to quality education for nomads, out of school children, and boys and girls in informal settlements. Note that these innovations can range from a new idea to new components or adaptations of existing innovations, as well as the expansion of an existing innovation to a different audience, preferably the most marginalised.
- 12. Will feedback be provided to the selected semi-finalists?
Feedback from the judges will be provided to the shortlisted semi-finalists, to enable preparation of the pitch to the judges during the finals.
- 13. What content will be included in the coaching sessions for selected semi-finalists?
During the virtual coaching sessions for semi-finalists, Save the Children will give an overview of the requirements for the pitching contest and provide guidance and strategies on how to effectively pitch your innovation to the judges. Coaching sessions for semi-finalists will be mandatory and more information regarding the sessions will be sent out through email.
- 14. What support will the winners be eligible to?
Cash prizes of up to Kes. 500,000 will be provided as defined in the Digital Innovation Challenge Guidance. Additionally, upon completion of the digital challenge, the winners may be selected for the following depending on the verdict of the evaluation committee:
- Collaboration/ Support by SCI to customize and scale up the digital initiative
- A 12 month fellowship program to develop the solution further and implement in the organization (Individuals Only)
- Internship program by the organization to improve and support other initiatives within the organization (for groups of youth, the internship program will be given to group winners-Individuals Only)
- 15. Do you want to register to participate in this challenge? Use this link https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=GT3vN1EWUkS3YdwkFL8EFusxKgqjm5RKvuVJsG7UNtJUNTkwV0g2TjhLTkZZOVZKUEdRRTBVN0pYUS4u&s=08
For more information, contact us on Kenya.Innovation@savethechildren.org