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Pilot Program Outline

Youth Spaces is a core program of the Gorilla Highlands Experts (GHE) organisation that will be piloted in 2023. The program’s mission is to give the youth practical skills that lead to personal development, civic engagement and regional peacebuilding in the transboundary area shared by Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Eligibility

Teams of 2-3 people aged 15-30 years with residence in Musanze (Rwanda) are encouraged to apply; they must have a specific and feasible business/project idea for impacting their community in a way that is friendly to the natural environment. All participants need to be able to regularly attend weekends sessions and willing to openly share their ideas and collaborate with other particiapnts to further develop their businesses/projects.

Cost

The program is free of charge.

Venues

Businesses and institutions in the Karisimbi area of Musanze will provide us with venues for gatherings.

Time Commitment

All program activities will be happening during weekends but there will be homework in between. Participants will get a weekly brief folder that will demand 2-3 hours of their time and will have to be personally submitted on Fridays.

Friday Expert Sessions: every Friday evening, 1-2 hours
Saturday Workshops: duration will vary but participants should be prepared to spend the full day; at the end of each workshop a new brief will be given
Sunday Activities: occasional community engagement or other activities

Benefits

Based on their session activity and homework, up to 15 participants will be invited to the International Friendship Camp with participants from Rwanda, Uganda and DR Congo. At the camp, the best will receive funding for their business/project.

Activity Areas

The program’s activities are in line with Rwanda’s socio-economic transformation objectives and fall within the following sectors: capacity development, human security & civic engagement, sports & culture, environment & climate change and regional integration. We shall offer participants sessions about:

– Digital Literacy & Empowerment
– Creativity & Home-Grown Solutions
– Entrepreneurship & Self-Reliance
– Leadership & Social Responsibility
– Nature & Conservation
– Personal Growth & Cultural Self-Respect

Pilot Program Timeline

– Applications start: 20 March 2023
– Applications end: 27 March 2023
– Announcement of selected participants: 17 April 2023
– Program activities start: Saturday, 22 April 2023 (Earth Day)
– Program activities end: July 2023
– International Friendship Camp: August 2023

For more information please contact us over WhatsApp +250 728 588 396 or see our main GHE Youth Spaces page.