Transforming challenges into opportunities: The journey of young innovators in Burundi
UNICEF Burundi, through its education and skills programs, continues to empower adolescents to reach their full potential and contribute to a better future for their country.
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On the morning of Friday, March 22, 2024, representatives from eight provinces of Burundi converged with 87 young finalists in the grand finale of the Innovation Challenges in Bujumbura. The event was organized under the theme “Transforming Community Challenges into Opportunities with Social Impact.”
The challenge aimed to inspire young teenagers to become positive change-makers in their communities. Supported by UNICEF, these talented youths were encouraged to devise innovative and tangible solutions to the issues most affecting them. They demonstrated their creativity and commitment by developing projects designed to enhance life in their communities.
Employing the Upshift methodology, the young participants honed essential skills in creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork. This approach enabled them to convert the day-to-day challenges faced by their communities into opportunities for social innovation and entrepreneurship, all through a technical skills development program in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics).
The final competitions, organized by UNICEF Burundi with support from the National Committee France, Austrian Development Agency, and the BOTNAR Foundation through Yoma World, allowed 19 solidarity groups to present their project ideas to a jury. This jury, composed of experts in innovation, community development, and entrepreneurs, evaluated the projects based on creativity, social impact, and sustainability. As a result, six solidarity groups were declared winners of these national competitions.
The jury was responsible for evaluating the creativity, social impact, and sustainability of the projects. As a result, 6 solidarity groups won these national competitions.
The ceremony was officiated by Burikukiye Herménégilde, Assistant to the Minister of Education, and Jeanne Niyonkuru, Assistant to the Minister of East African Community Affairs, Youth, Sport, and Culture. Ms. Niyonkuru offered words of encouragement to the participants: “Your destiny is in your hands, and with effective coaching, anything is possible. Be promoters of innovation, agents of change, and emblems of your own communities,” she remarked.
Nathalie Meyer, UNICEF's Deputy Representative in Burundi, congratulated the participants and reaffirmed UNICEF's dedication to supporting them. She pledged continuous assistance to the Government of Burundi in its efforts to enhance children's access to and retention in education, as well as to improve educational quality. She highlighted UNICEF's implementation of the CREATABLE initiative, which introduces a new dimension of innovation to STEM education and fosters an entrepreneurial spirit in every adolescent and young person.
The six winning groups received prizes to develop their innovative projects further, turn their dreams into reality, and effect positive change in their communities.
The top three winners shared their joy:
“It's incredible - I wasn't expecting it at all. It's a great pride for me and my team to return to our province with first place in these competitions,” said an emotionally moved Eugénie Niyimbona, from the first-place group, Umuco w'Ubuzima.
Their project addresses the issue of famine caused by crop-devouring insects, through a natural phytosanitary and fertilizer product that protects crops and enriches the soil without harmful chemicals, promising healthier food for their community.
She added that the prize received will allow her group to grow and market their innovative product, which will have a positive impact on the lives of many people in the community.
The "Umuco w'Urwaruka" group won second place in the Innovation Challenges. Their project consisted of making tiles from plastic bottles, which also helped to fight against plastic pollution.
"With this award and the support we've received, we'll be able to buy new machinery and hire more people. This will enable us to respond to the growing demand for our products and create jobs for young people in our community."
NZEYIMANA Pontien, the third-place winner, expressed his gratitude to UNICEF and its partners for their support and confidence in the youth.
“Our project to strategically plant trees to increase our community's forest cover is what led to our win today,” he said, noting the environmental restoration and protection achieved through their reforestation efforts.
