AfrIdea: A Regional Idea-a-thon for Post-COVID Progress

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The Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs (AF/PDPA), Africa Regional Services, of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a regional Idea-a-thon in May 2021, which would be previewed by a series of online trainings. The Idea-a-thon should create digital solutions to 1) address economic, health, and education sector challenges and 2) promote women’s leadership in peace and security post COVID-19. These challenges include youth unemployment and the youth bulge, gender discrimination and inequality, intercommunal and terrorist violence, malnutrition, and illiteracy. The program will be conducted in French. Please carefully follow all the instructions below. Priority Region: Mali, Guinea, Senegal, Togo, Proposals should bring together young entrepreneurs, social activists, software/web app developers, coders, and others in STEM fields (in collaboration with the U.S. Embassies in Guinea, Mali, Togo, Senegal, and other partners) to develop  solutions to the most pressing economic, health, and educational challenges. Other partners could include U.S. and foreign government departments/agencies in participating countries, local and regional nonprofit organizations, incubators, private sector companies, think tanks, activists and thought leaders, and U.S. Government exchange program alumni. Proposals should clearly spell out how they will advance U.S. values, policies, culture, or content. The proposed idea-a-thon should take place May 17-21, 2021 in Conakry, Guinea.

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