Deadline: July 19, 2023.

Would you like to make a difference in your community? Are you passionate about the Sustainable Development Goals? Join the next UNLEASH Innovation Lab in Rwanda, a thriving start-up hub on the African continent.

The UNLEASH Innovation Lab in Rwanda will take place from December 2 to December 8, and changemakers aged between 18-35 will have the opportunity to apply for this transformative (and fully-funded!).

During the Lab, 1,000 young participants from all over the world will come up with new ideas and co-create innovative initiatives through human-centered design thinking – a process that focuses on the real needs of the people that the solution caters to. Experienced facilitators and experts will guide the participants through different stages of the innovation process:

1. Problem Framing: Defining a problem based on user needs and clear insights
2. Ideation: Brainstorming and selecting ideas to solve the problem
3. Prototyping: Creating simple versions of the idea to understand how it will work in real life
4. Testing: Testing the solution with users, learning, and adapting
5. Implementing: Planning and launching impactful solutions

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The Innovation Lab in Rwanda is open to young people between the ages of 18 and 35. We select participants that are:

1. Passionate and committed to solving the world’s sustainability challenges
2. Creative and have an innovative mindset
3. Enthusiastic about working together with peers and experts
4. Able to understand and communicate in English

BENEFITS

• UNLEASH will cover the costs of international flight travel to and from Kigali, local transport in Kigali, accommodation, food, curriculum, facilitation, and program activities for the entire event.
  • As a general rule, all Talents must pay a participation fee of 150 USD to confirm their spot at the UNLEASH Innovation Lab. This fee mitigates no-shows and ensures that we do not have empty seats where other Talents could have had the opportunity to participate.
• All their Talents will be booked at hotels in Kigali and will be offered daily transportation to the event centre. Questions regarding the practicalities of accommodation will be addressed closer to the event.
• Anecdotal feedback from previous participants in UNLEASH Innovation Labs shows that for many of them, their participation is a life-changing event that connects them with the experience, skills, and networks which shape their lives and careers for many years to come.
  • Learn and apply UNLEASH Innovation Methodology to co-create innovative initiatives using human-centered design thinking.
  • Immerse yourself in a week-long program in Kigali, Rwanda, a leading innovation and tech hub in Africa
  • Connect and engage with a diverse community of hundreds of young people, experienced facilitators, and experts who share a mutual passion for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • Become part of a global network of thousands of UNLEASH Alumni, fostering ongoing collaboration and support.

OFFICIAL LINK