Projects we've funded
London
Sub-saharan Africa
2012 Grants Round Two (£223,912)
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Digital Disruption Digital Futures: work savvy, web savvy £36,941 icon
Background
Young people in the UK live in a world where the internet affects how they learn and form opinions. Young people are often confident, but not always competent internet users, often lacking the ability to engage critically with digital media. Formal education struggles to fill this void.
The Idea
Digital Disruption will equip 20 young people in East London with digital judgement skills. For example, the ability to deconstruct propaganda, to manage their online footprint and to understand how search engines work. Once they’ve become savvy consumers of digital content, the group will develop and test learning resources that can be used by youth workers and teachers to improve young people’s digital judgment skills across the UK.
What Stood out for us?
A group of young people will help to solve a critical challenge that their peers face today and in doing so will maximise the potential of the internet for individuals and society.
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Digital Opportunity Trust ListenUp! Ethiopia (Raiy Radio Show) £48,530 icon
Background
Youth unemployment is endemic in Ethiopia. 75% of young people are currently out of work. Tapping into the potential of the growing private sector is key, yet young people lack the knowledge to do so. Radio, the single most important method of communication in Ethiopia, offers a ways to reach young people with this knowledge.
The Idea
DOT will pilot a national radio show to provide one million young listeners with critical information related to starting up a business and getting work. The radio shows will be created and presented by young people. ListenUp! will be informal and interactive, with a phone-in component and real-time social media engagement during broadcasts. If successful, the programme will be replicated in other countries.
What Stood out for us?
The prospect of helping a large number of Ethiopia’s young people through an exciting youth-led venture.
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Changemakers Share The Change! £43,886 icon
Background
Changemakers believe that values-based leadership would make the world a better place. In the UK, Changemakers has developed a 3 month leadership programme for young people, that brings out young people’s confidence to lead and builds awareness of their values and leadership style. They wish to run their flagship programme in other countries. They have prioritised Kenya due to its youthful population (75% are under 30) and high youth unemployment (70%).
The Idea
Two young people – one from London, one from Kenya – will redesign the Changemakers’ leadership programme so that it works for young Kenyans. The programme is likely to include a mix of training, coaching and real world leadership experiences. Working with a local charity, 10 young people will be trained up to deliver the new programme in Malindi, eastern Kenya. Each will deliver the programme to 10 people, thereby providing 100 young people with increased confidence, communication skills and resilience. Changemakers, meanwhile, will have a clear understanding of how to scale their flagship programme.
What Stood out for us?
The prospect of helping Changemakers to adapt a successful programme to improve the leadership potential of young Kenyans.
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Educate Youth Business Accelerator £45,956 icon
Background
94% of Ugandan youth live on less than $2 a day. Of those fortunate to attend university, 64% of graduates are unable to find formal jobs. Educate!, by providing A-level students with knowledge and confidence to start an enterprise, is providing a critical first step to a livelihood. However, the alumni of the programme are unable to use this to create growth enterprises as they struggle to access capital or to produce at a scale that would entice larger buyers.
The Idea
Educate! will support 100 of their high potential alumni to develop a business to provide them with an income and to create new jobs. The young people will be given the opportunity to start up a micro-franchise company. To support them, they’ll be offered training on the product, a start-up bundle of products, business training, a sector-specific mentor and a low interest loan.
What Stood out for us?
The project targets young Ugandans with the best prospects of becoming successful entrepreneurs and gives them a good start in their career, providing ready-made products and established markets.
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Fight For Peace The Gang and Offender Progressions Programe £48,599 icon
Background
The London Borough of Newham has faced a growing problem with gangs, resulting in high levels of gun and knife crime. The situation is not helped by the fact that youth unemployment rates are twice the national average, while recent cuts to local services mean there are even fewer positive activities available for young people.
The Idea
Fight for Peace will help 30 young gang members and young offenders into education or employment. The programme will combine boxing and martial arts training with education, employability, youth leadership and tailored youth support services. Activities include an intensive 15 week learning programme that will result in the equivalent of 4 GCSEs, mentoring to help the young individuals to work towards positive life goals, and intensive support from a new member of staff dedicated to help them to progress on to employment, education or training.
What Stood out for us?
The prospect of helping Fight for Peace to improve their model by placing more focus on helping their young people to progress into education, training or employment.
2012 Grants Round One (£215,785)
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Restless Development Linking Learning to Life £33,042 icon
