FUNDING OF 15,000 EUROS : Apply for the Youth and Women Innovations to Enhance East Africa’s Economic Integration (GIZ)

The East African Community (EAC) Secretariat, in collaboration with GIZ’s LIFTED Project and the East African Civil Society Organizations’ Forum, supported by the European Union, is now accepting applications for its East African Community Hackathon. This initiative aims to foster innovation among youth and women-led Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in East Africa, promoting regional economic integration by developing scalable solutions that address obstacles to regional trade in services.

Program Highlights

• Funding: Up to €15,000 in grant funds available for the top eight solutions (four youth-led and four women-led)
• Additional Benefits:
  • Presentation opportunities at the EAC Youth Regional Forum
  • Access to valuable networking, mentorship, coaching, and training
  • Platform for showcasing innovative solutions that promote EAC integration

Program Objectives

The hackathon targets critical sectors that impact regional economic integration, including:

• Tourism, Agriculture, Finance, ICT, Logistics, and Environmental Conservation The objective is to create solutions that improve cross-border trade, foster economic cooperation, and promote inclusive growth.

Eligibility Criteria

• Location: Open to applicants from EAC Partner States—Burundi, DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Somalia.
• Registration: Applicants must be registered enterprises or organizations within any EAC Partner State.
• Leadership: Open to youth-led (ages 18-35) or women-founded organizations.
• Regional Relevance: Solutions must be operational or have potential for implementation across two or more Partner States.
• Commitment: Selected finalists must attend all capacity-building sessions, hackathon activities, and final pitch events.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

1. Problem Statement: Clearly defined problem, supported by research.
2. Impact & Scalability: Vision for regional impact and a defined target group.
3. Innovation: Unique, practical solutions suitable for the EAC market.
4. Traction: Feasibility and early-stage acceptance.
5. Financial Sustainability: Clear revenue generation plan and long-term viability.
6. Team Composition: Diverse, inclusive, and skilled teams capable of driving growth.

Application Information

• Deadline: November 21, 2024
• Official Link for Application: EAC Hackathon Application

This is an excellent opportunity for young innovators and women entrepreneurs across East Africa to gain funding, mentorship, and exposure for ideas that drive sustainable economic growth.