During the face-to-face meeting held in Harare on the 4th of July, several participants recorded videos talking about their organisation. These videos can be found on the participant profile on the Home page or below:

Originally posted: Changemakers Innovation Challenge 2024 (actrustfoundation.org)

BACKGROUND

In today’s rapidly evolving world, technology and innovation continue to transform various aspects of human life. The advent of advanced technological tools and resources has made life easier, faster, and better, offering real-time information at our fingertips. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated the pace of digitization and technology adoption, while also exposing and exacerbating existing inequalities. Considering these technological advancements, the social sector is increasingly embracing digital innovations to address developmental challenges faced by African communities. Despite decades of humanitarian aid and funding, millions of Africans still lack necessities such as food, clean water, and education. Therefore, it has become imperative for changemakers to harness the power of technology to alleviate these challenges more efficiently and effectively.

ABOUT CHANGEMAKERS INNOVATION CHALLENGE

The Changemakers Innovation Challenge was conceived by ACT Foundation as a response to the impressive work of community non-profits and social enterprises in Africa that leverage technology and digital tools to create social change within their communities. 

Whether it be solutions in mobile health, farm automation, telemedicine, ed-tech microfinance, and beyond, technological advancements continue to strengthen the capacity of organisations to solve social problems. Emerging technological innovations like artificial intelligence, data analytics, blockchain,  renewable energy sources, and other transformative solutions also play a pivotal role in driving social change. 

In response to these trends, ACT Foundation seeks to garner partnerships towards the support of such forward-thinking organisations and innovators in creating lasting impact.

The challenge is open to non-profits, social enterprises and businesses across Africa that are utilizing various technological and digital tools to develop innovative social solutions. Grant funding will be awarded to the top three (3) winners of the Changemakers Innovation Challenge, facilitating the scaling of their innovative solutions across different communities. Furthermore, technical support in the form of either software, hardware or capacity-building training will be provided to selected finalists as applicable.

THEME

As the world increasingly relies on digital solutions, ACT Foundation is committed to forging new pathways for addressing challenges in a manner that is not only innovative but also sustainable and impactful. Over the past six years, our unwavering support to diverse organisations has illuminated the profound importance of leveraging technology for social impact and fostering creative thinking among innovators.

In line with this, the theme of this year’s challenge will revolve around digital innovation that catalyses systematic chang by addressing social issues within our society and transforming traditional systems.

By promoting and supporting organisations Driving Change with Digital Innovation, we aim to foster solutions that go beyond immediate gains, leaving a lasting positive imprint on African communities. Through this year’s challenge, we will champion the organizations that are not only innovative but also practical and sustainable. Winning entries should have the potential to be implemented and scaled, creating a lasting impact for Africa.

To support the review and evaluation of the submitted applications, the following are suggested lists of internal reviewers and judges we hope would be a part of this year’s challenge:

1. The Changemakers Innovation Challenge is open to non-profits and social enterprises in Africa. Businesses carrying out innovations that lead to social impact may also apply. 
2. Organisations must submit social innovations that address challenges in alignment with any of the SDG Goals Click here for more insights on the SDGs
3. Organisations that have been awarded funding as winners of the Changemakers Innovation Challenge in the past are not eligible.
4. Non-profits or social enterprises must be registered with the government agency in charge of the organizations’ registries in their respective countries.
5. All submissions must be innovative solutions that use technology or digital systems as major tools in driving community impact. Evidence of claims must be provided through web links, videos, pictures and any other online presence.
6. Organizations must have been in existence for at least two years.
7. All social innovations must be at the growth stage and must have been tested or implemented on direct beneficiaries. Evidence of claim must be provided through pictures, news releases, etc
8. All social innovations must have been implemented within the past two years. PILOT INNOVATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Click here to read our EVALUATION CRITERIA.

GUIDELINES

1. Entry for the Changemakers Innovation Challenge opens on Monday, 24th June 2024 and closes on Friday, 12th July 2024. Late entries will not be considered.
2. Only one entry will be accepted per organization. Once an entry has been submitted, no further changes will be accepted.
3. All entries for this challenge must be submitted in English.
4. No entry fee, purchase or payment of any kind is required to apply.
5. Grant funding will be awarded to the top three (3) winners of the Changemakers Innovation Challenge towards the scaling of their innovative solutions across different communities. Technical support will also be awarded as applicable.
6. Winners will be announced and awarded at the annual ACT Foundation Breakfast Dialogue which is scheduled to hold in October 2024. For more details, visit www.actrustfoundation.org.

Are you ready to drive change?

Application closes on July 12th, 2024

Our Intro to Civic Engagement Course seeks to help develop and strengthen the capacity of non-state actors to take their rightful place in the agora. If you are active in this space or wish to be part of the change this course is one you should consider.

The Introduction to Civil Society course is part of the SIVIO Institute Online School and you can take the course in your own time and you will receive a certificate once you have completed the seven modules. The 7 modules in the course are:

1. Introduction to Civil Society Organisations
2. Civic Engagement and Agency
3. Strategy
4. Resource Mobilisation
5. Introduction to Policy Advocacy
6. Introduction to Policy Analysis
7. Research for Policy Analysis

Each module is completed once the final quiz is passed with 80% or higher.

Introduction to Civic Engagement – SIVIO Institute Online School (https://schools.sivioinstitute.org/courses/introduction-to-civic-engagement/)

The School for Sustainable Civil Society Organisations is part of the SIVIO Institute Online School and you can take the course in your own time and you will receive a certificate once you have completed the five modules. The 5 modules in the course are:

1. Introduction to African Philanthropy
2. Governance, Structures and Processes in Civil Society Organisations
3. Resource Mobilisation
4. Strategy
5. Collaboration

Each module is completed once the final quiz is passed with 80% or higher.

School for Sustainable CSOs – SIVIO Institute Online School (https://schools.sivioinstitute.org/courses/school-for-sustainable-csos/)

Legal Clinic

Welcome to the Incubation Hub Legal Clinic. Our aim through this process is at the end of the official Legal Clinic process to help you move forward concerning legal compliance issues. The legal compliance matters are not just restricted to legal registration (which is still critical) but other aspects around statutory body compliance (e.g. Zimra, NSSA) and aspects of intellectual property rights that were raised by participants.

Legal Forms of Registration

PVO Registration

Tax and Pension Compliance

Intellectual Property

Legal Registration for Non-Profit Organisations in Zimbabwe

PVO Guide

Legal-Clinic-Notes-PVOsDownload

Tax and Pension Compliance

Legal-Clinic-Notes-Tax-ComplianceDownload

Summary Notes

Summary Notes

Full Audio:

How to set up a board

Summary Notes

Other Resources:

• Sample Board Resolution
• Sample Board Agenda
• Minute Taking Templates
• 4 steps to recruiting the right board members