Take responsibility to create and develop, get the courage and confidence, roll up your sleeves and let's get to work” those were words of encouragement to fellow youth from Nelson Mandela of Equip Africa International, after emerging winner of the InnovationChallenge2022.
South Sudan boosts of over 70% of young people. In order to build a safe and secure future for them, their access to education, health, and economic empowerment is critical. The young people face prolonged challenges imposed by COVID-19 pandemic and other factors which place them in a disadvantaged position, leading to many being left behind in social and economic aspects of life.
Although not all young people were affected in the same way, the crisis created life-long consequences of unemployment and health challenges. To get the young people engaged in finding solutions to emerging health and other disasters, Impact Health Organisation together with BEATec through funding from UNFPA organized a youth innovation challenge aimed at transforming the potential of future change makers into real action.
Young South Sudanese aged 18- 25 were invited to innovative, tangible, and youth-centered solutions to support communities in recovery from conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic as well as identify the intersection between human health, the circular economy, and livelihood. This challenge, under the theme “Innovation towards both conflict and COVID-19”, gave young people an opportunity to submit innovative proposals, 16 entries were received from both males and females, but only 5 were shortlisted to compete on the final day.
"Engaging youth in innovation is critical to addressing social challenges and promoting economic transformation, in order to achieve inclusive growth & reduce poverty, youth should have access to skills training, education, and employment opportunities,” said Francis Tukwasibwe from UNFPA
The 16 contenders including the winner will be supported with innovative ideas by IHO to improve and to opportunities to network and get new business connections.
“I am very thankful for the great opportunity for me to be a part of this experience and I will forever be grateful, this event gave me a platform for new connections which will be useful for my carrier and the funds will help me fully start my business and also be able to employ other young people to work with. When economically empowered, young people can make right choices for their healthy lifestyle; My win is a win for all young people in this country” said Nelson Emmanuel the winner of 2022 IHO innovation challenge
Nelson bagged 1500$, in a rigorous and thrilling award ceremony to an audience of young that featured a panel discussion on the African Continental Free Trade Area, the funds will help the winner kick-start his innovation idea.
“As Impact Health Organisation, we believe involving young people in innovation is key to solving some of the world’s biggest issues. And that’s why we organized this challenge to gather inspired young people to bring out their ideas and be able to nurture and support them.” Said Jolem Mwanje IHO Executive Director.
