ICT 4 Inclusion Challenge
Africa edition 2021
Shaping inclusive education for people with disabilities in Africa
#ICT4IC
Recap and winning teams
The ICT 4 Inclusion Challenge Africa edition 2021 has concluded. See how it went.
Access to education is one of the greatest barriers to inclusion for children, young persons and adults with disabilities in Africa. The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified this situation. Digital innovations can help to overcome this challenge by removing barriers to education for persons with disabilities.
This is a call to arms. It’s time for a change. Are you in? Register for the ICT 4 Inclusion Challenge and shape the inclusive education in Africa!
What is ICT4IC?
ICT4IC stands for Information Communications Technology for Inclusion Challenge (ICT4IC). This is the hashtag and shortcut for this challenge.
We wish to foster & scale digital and technical innovations that provide or improve access to education for children, youths and/or adults with disabilities in Africa.
You can submit your innovative idea, mock-up, or proof of concept (PoC) in any of the 4 criteria apply.
You are developing a digital device and/or application, that facilitates inclusive education.
You have a concrete idea to raise awareness for inclusive education using digital technologies.
You develop digital assistive technologies to be used in educative settings.
You are working on accessibility solutions for online learning environments.
Who can join?
- Individuals or Teams of Innovators, Entrepreneurs, Students, Change makers, Tech geeks, Disability activists.
- Persons who are at least 18 years old or above the legal working age in the country of residence.
- Permanent residents of an African country or non-residents teaming up with an African organization.
- Please note that Atos or GIZ employees (and their immediate family) are not eligible to take part in the challenge. Any solutions that are already on the market will also be excluded.
Who will be selected for the Bootcamp?
Submitted ideas will be evaluated considering the evaluation criteria described below. The teams/individuals with the top-ranked ideas will be selected to participate in the Bootcamp.
- Relevance and applicability
25% weighting
- Innovation
Your solution proves to be new, creative and innovative in how to reach the goals. Existing services and products already on the market are excluded from the competition. Tip: Do your research!
25% weighting
- Sustainability
Your solution is an idea, a mock up or a proof of concept (PoC) but has the potential to be scaled to a sustainable solution and business.
25% weighting
- Potential impact
25% weighting
1.
Idea submission
Until 15 September 2021
2.
Selection
16 – 30 Sep 2021
ICT, Education, Inclusion & Africa experts will evaluate the submissions. 8 teams will be invited to the bootcamp.
3.
Virtual bootcamp
8 Nov – 19 Nov 2021
Work on your idea alongside selected elite mentors and prepare for pitching your developed PoC to the jury.
4.
Pitching
30 Nov 2021, 2-5 pm CET
Present the proof of concept of your innovative solution to a panel of top-notch jury members.
5.
Awards
3 Dec 2021, 10.30-11.30 am CET
Awards to the winning teams will be presented during a public live event.
6.
Mentoring
Post event starting 18th Jan 2022
The Pitches will start in..
Jury
In addition to being coached by elite mentors during the bootcamp, the top 3 winning teams will be awarded with dedicated 3 month long mentorship program after the bootcamp, monetary prizes and an opportunity to pitch to Atos Accelerator programme.
- 1st placed team € 6,500
- 2nd placed team € 2,500
- 3rd placed team € 1,000
About the organisers
Cooperation GIZ and Atos
Atos and GIZ kick-start their cooperation by setting up this joint innovation challenge. The goal is to support digital innovations aimed at improving access to education for persons with disabilities in Africa. To this end, both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Global Accessibility Awareness Day. Watch GIZs CEO Tanja Gönner and Atos CEO for Central Europe Udo Littke talk about the aim of the partnership.
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a global service provider in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. GIZ has over 50 years of experience in a wide variety of areas, including economic development and employment, energy and the environment, and peace and security. We work to shape a future worth living around the world.
Atos is a global leader in digital transformation with 105,000 employees and annual revenue of over € 11 billion. European number one in cybersecurity, cloud and high-performance computing, the Group provides tailored end-to-end solutions for all industries in 71 countries. A pioneer in decarbonization services and products.
Initiated by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Make-IT Alliance is a co-innovation network with partners from international companies, associations, researchers and other partners. The Alliance promotes collaboration and supports the exchange of experience and practical knowledge between international and local partners in order to foster digitalisation for inclusive and sustainable development world-wide.
