Desafio Genial boosts the present and the future.

The future of Angola has gained a new impetus with the launch of the third edition of the Desafio Genial. Under the theme "Digital Generation", the launch event of the initiative brought together figures from the public and private sectors to reaffirm the role of young people as protagonists of sustainable development.

The initiative, led by UNICEF, now has the strategic reinforcement of the Ministry of Education and the financial support of the Nelt Group.

The Desafio Genial has been consolidated in Angola through a successful trajectory that demonstrates the vigor of the national youth.

The first edition mobilized 520 young people in 171 teams, introducing the human-centered design methodology to solve basic social problems. The biggest highlight was the Angolan team "Viva Surdo", which conquered the international stage by winning the global challenge of the Generation Unlimited initiative. In the second edition, the program grew to 740 young people and 255 teams from all over the country. The focus on environmental challenges has resulted in innovative projects aimed at renewable energy and agriculture.

For UNICEF Deputy Representative Cristina Brugiolo, these numbers translate to real stories. "Young people who dared to think differently, who believed they could be part of the solution, and they did".

Cristina Brugiolo ended her speech with a message of encouragement to young people saying: "Do not be afraid to make mistakes... Be determined, believe in your potential and don't be afraid to dare".

The Secretary of State for Pre-school and Primary Education, Pacheco Francisco, stressed that the initiative is fundamental to address barriers to economic growth. With two-thirds of the Angolan population under the age of 25, Pacheco Francisco reiterated that "investing in transferable skills and digital literacy is a priority for the Government, in full alignment with the National Development Plan 2023-2027 and the 2050 Strategy". 

"The objective is to ensure that young people not only learn, but are fit for the modern job market", added the Secretary.

On the donor side, Amber Shukls, Marketing Director of the Nelt Group, highlighted the honor of implementing this project in partnership with UNICEF. Shukls emphasized that the company, of Serbian origin but with a strong local presence, believes in continuous investment in people.

"We aim to empower young people to recognize the challenges of their communities and take an active role in building innovative solutions," said Amber Shukls.

Desafio Genial will continue to offer mentorship, tools, and seed funding to turn ideas into sustainable ventures, cementing Angola as a hotbed of innovation for the African continent.

Registration and Information:

Interested teams (from 2 to 5 members, between 14 and 24 years old) can register until May 6 on the official website of Arotec: arotec.ao/programas/desafio-genial.