Project Summary: Describe your contribution in one sentence
Providing learner centered and quality climate education for youths and building green entrepreneurs
What are the additional countries or territories of impact?
We are looking to expand to Ghana, South Africa, Egypt, And Kenya
Challenge Focus: What topic does your project most directly relate to?
Creating structures of support for regenerative solutions to today's climate challenges Turning data and information into stories that spark action around environmental issues Creating inclusive pathways for people to contribute towards building a sustainable world
Website URL(s) or social media handles
Website: https://itis4dev.com https://www.Instagram.com/itis_4_dev_global. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083045236932 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/itis-4-dev-global/
The Problem: What problem are you helping to solve?
The problem being addressed is the lack of effective and high-quality climate change education in schools and small number of green youth change makers /startups. While 91% of young people have learned about climate change at school, 70% of them cannot explain it or can only explain the broad principles, putting the quality of climate change education in question.
This lack of understanding about climate change among the younger generation is a major concern because they will be the ones most affected by the consequences of climate change in the future.
Furthermore, there are regional variations in the purpose of climate change education. Respondents from Europe and Northern America and Central and Southern Asia prioritize gaining scientific knowledge about climate change and its consequences, as well as taking action to make a positive change. On the other hand, those from Northern Africa, Western Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa focus more on developing skills to adapt to climate change.
This shows that climate change education needs to be tailored to the specific needs of each region to be effective.
This lack of understanding of the problem is one of the reasons why innovative solutions do not exist. We will be building green entrepreneurs as well.
Your connection and commitment: How close are you to the problem and/or the community impacted?
Growing up, I experienced first-hand the effects of climate change on my community. I grew up from a rural community in Nigeria, where the changing weather patterns caused crop failures and food shortages. This led to poverty and hunger, which affected not only my family, but also many others in the community.
This experience inspired me to learn more about climate change and how it disproportionately affects people from underrepresented backgrounds, like myself. I discovered that the people who contribute the least to climate change are often the ones who suffer the most from its consequences. This realization only strengthened my resolve to be a voice for those who are marginalized and to fight for a better future.
My passion for climate change is further fueled by the stories of my friends and family who have been affected by natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires. I feel a sense of responsibility to ensure that future generations don’t have to endure the same suffering and that their rights to a healthy and safe environment are protected.
As a young woman, I understand the importance of being an ally to the most vulnerable communities and fighting against systems of oppression that contribute to the problem. I believe that it’s not enough to simply raise awareness about the dangers of climate change, but it’s crucial to take action and advocate for policy changes that address the root causes of the problem.
Ultimately, my passion for climate change stems from a deep love for the world and all its inhabitants. I want to leave behind a legacy of hope and positive change, where nature is thriving so that future generations can inherit a better planet. I am committed to using my voice and my actions to make that vision a reality.
Your approach: How are you enabling other people to identify as green changemakers? How are you influencing them to get involved in your initiative or care about the issue you are addressing?
The ITIS curriculum was developed to help at least 10,000 African youths by 2025, 17-30 years old around the world transition into becoming green change makers and green entrepreneurs, equip them with the relevant knowledge and skills to become successful green entrepreneurs eg, adaptation, mitigation, climate policy, and climate justice, etc. our innovative curriculum encompassclimate education and entrepreneurship to enable these Changemakers build businesses centered around innovative green solutions.
Through our program, we have witnessed the transformative power of our solution in multiplying changemakers.
For instance, we are proud to highlight the achievements of three ITIS alumnae teams who developed projects to tackle different climate change effects through technology (aged 15-18). The achievers project focused on providing a tool for farmers affected by drought to test soil conditions, while WaterSpark aimed to test the water quality in areas impacted by flooding.
savvy girls developed a mobile application ‘Go find me’ to enhance safety, particularly for gender-based violence victims affected by climate change.
For 1 year, selected fellows will learn about climate change, how to start, build, and scale an impact venture. Using visual presentations, ITIS helps them feel connected to their environment. The program will be available in over 100 languages, which fosters easy learning for those whose native language isn't English.
They will learn about climate change in-depth ranging from policies and all and gain a better understanding of the issue, improve their green business ideas, and learn how to gain early traction, achieve product-market fit, and scale.
While learning, participants are offered mentorship as well from experienced members of the team.
Community involvement: How is your approach involving community participation, especially the historically marginalized groups?
Our approach involves community participation, particularly among historically marginalized groups, in several ways. Firstly, Our physical fellowship program will be implemented in schools, including schools in areas that are historically marginalized. This approach will ensure that students from all backgrounds have access to quality climate education, regardless of their socio-economic background and our clubs will be implemented to ensure the ripple effect of our impact.
Secondly, the program will be designed to be learner-centered, action-oriented, and engaging virtual fellowship as well. The program will also include interactive sessions and hands-on activities to engage the students, making it more effective and impactful.
Thirdly, our online fellowship program will be an advanced program for African youths interested in pursuing careers/business in climate finance & green job training. This program will provide in-depth knowledge and training on climate finance and green job training, preparing youths to take leadership roles in the field. By targeting students and youths, particularly those from historically marginalized groups, we are ensuring that we are providing opportunities for these groups to pursue careers or start green initiatives/startups.
Your Innovation: What is different about your initiative compared to other solutions already out there? How is your approach original and innovative? We are particularly interested in solutions that use regenerative approaches.
Unlike traditional climate education programs that prioritize knowledge dissemination, our program prioritizes hands-on learning and action-oriented approaches that enable students and youths to take an active role in finding solutions to the climate crisis.
One of the key differentiators of our initiative is its focus on regenerative approaches to tackling the climate crisis. This means that we prioritize strategies that not only reduce emissions but also restore and regenerate ecosystems, such as reforestation and soil regeneration. By prioritizing regenerative approaches, we are taking a holistic and comprehensive approach to addressing the climate crisis that goes beyond simply reducing emissions.
Another key differentiator is the learner-centered and action-oriented approach of our program. We recognize that traditional climate education programs often fail to engage young people or train them to implement solutions, particularly those from underserved communities, who may feel disconnected from the issue. By incorporating interactive sessions and hands-on activities, our program ensures that students and youths are not only learning about climate change but are also actively engaged in finding solutions to the problem. This approach not only makes the curriculum more engaging but also empowers them to take an active role in addressing the climate crisis.
In addition to its focus on regenerative approaches and learner-centered design, our program is also unique in its targeted approach to reaching underserved youths and schools across Africa.
By targeting these communities, we are ensuring that our target who would otherwise have limited access to climate education can benefit from the program and contribute to finding solutions to the climate crisis.
Founding Story: Share a story about the "Aha!" moment that led the founder(s) to get started or the story of how you saw the potential for this to succeed.
I grew up in a rural community where I experienced firsthand the gradual effects of climate change in Nigeria. From the gradual shortage of onions caused by drought to the alarming scarcity of tomatoes, which started a couple of years ago, we are still witnessing weather patterns that impact farming, leading to food shortages. While growing up, the poverty and hunger this phenomenon caused were unexplainable, and they affected not only my family but many others in the community. And it'd take me years to understand and also to come to the realization that the people who contribute the least to climate change are often the ones who suffer the most from its consequences.
These realizations fueled my passion for climate activism and the desire to be a voice for the marginalized. I want to advocate for policy changes that address the root causes of climate change and fight against systems of oppression that contribute to the problem.
My passion for climate change is also driven by the stories of my friends and family who've been affected by natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfire. Witnessing their struggles made me feel a sense of responsibility to ensure that future generations don't endure the same suffering and can inherit a healthy and safe environment.
Ultimately, my love for the world and its inhabitants drives my commitment to climate change activism.
Impact: How has your project made a difference so far? How is it contributing to a zero-carbon world- where every person thrives, and nobody gets left behind?
Our work has led to several opportunities, including being selected as a youth representative for the COP27 conference where I spoke as a panelist and proposed curriculum guidelines.
Our climate change advocacy project has engaged over 300 youths with climate education and mitigation strategies. By filling a critical gap in the education system, we have brought climate education to schools and youth where it was not previously included/accessible.
The impact of our project is evident in the 90% increase in understanding and interest in climate issues among the young people we have engaged. We are empowering them with the knowledge and skills they need to become informed and active citizens, creating a generation of climate advocates who can work towards a zero-carbon world where everyone thrives.
Our solution provides sufficient evidence of its scale, depth, and speed of socio-environmental impact. By raising awareness about the impacts of climate change and encouraging action, we are creating a community of climate-conscious individuals who are committed to making a positive impact on the environment.
Our alumni's have worked on an apps that incorporates robotics and AI to tackle the effects of climate change. This innovative solution demonstrates how we are contributing to a zero-carbon world by harnessing the power of technology to address significant environmental challenges.
What’s Next: What are your ideas for taking your project to the next level?
To take the project to the next level, the ITIS physical and virtual climate fellowship will be well planned and executed to ensure that the specific demands of the youth are met.
This will be achieved by involving a diverse group of experts and stakeholders in the planning and execution process, including educators, climate activists, and green entrepreneurs.
The fellowship will focus on providing quality climate education to young people while also empowering them to take action on environmental issues by providing entrepreneurship training as well.
The financial support and mentoring provided to green change makers will be a catalyst for their green initiatives and ideas, leading to positive environmental outcomes. Additionally, the fellowship will be used as a platform to showcase innovative climate solutions and technologies, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among participants.
Finally, the success of the fellowship will be measured by tracking the impact of the support and mentoring provided to green change makers and the adoption of the disruptive curriculum by educational institutions as well as the number of alumnus who implement green solutions At the end of the training.
Your team: What is the current composition of your team (types of roles, qualifications, full-time vs. part-time, board members, etc.), and how do you plan to evolve the team’s composition as the project grows?
the ITIS 4 Development team currently consists of four core members, including the Chief Operating Officer (COO), the CEO, the Chief Technology Officer (CTO), and the Programs Manager/Researcher.
The team is composed of highly skilled and accomplished individuals with diverse backgrounds and expertise, such as education, technology, climate change, entrepreneurship, and STEM advocacy.
All members have a strong passion for social change and empowering underrepresented groups, especially young people, which aligns with the mission and vision of the organization.
As the project grows, the team will need to expand its composition to include additional roles, such as marketing and communications, fundraising, human resources, and partnerships.
Overall, the ITIS 4 Development team has a strong foundation of expertise, passion, and dedication that will enable it to evolve and adapt to the changing needs and challenges of the project.
we are a team of repeat founders, globally recognized leaders
Operational Sustainability Plan: What is this solution’s plan to ensure operational sustainability.
- To ensure long-term sustainability, ITIS plans to establish partnerships with local organizations, educational institutions, other youth climate organizations, entrepreneurial initiatives and government agencies. At the moment we have discussed partnership with savvy fellowship which has trained over 9,000+ fellows and are about to sighn a memorandum of understanding.
- These partnerships will enable us to leverage existing resources and networks, expand our reach, and ensure that our programs are aligned with local needs and priorities.
- We will also be conducting regular evaluations of our programs to assess their impact and identify areas for improvement. This will enable us to continually refine our approach and ensure that we are delivering maximum value to our beneficiaries.
- In addition, we plan to establish a sustainable funding model that will enable us to continue delivering our programs over the long term. This will involve a mix of revenue streams, including grants, donations, sponsorships, and earned income from our products and services.
- We will also be investing in our team's capacity and skills development to ensure that we have the right mix of talent and expertise to deliver high-quality programs and services. This will involve ongoing training and professional development opportunities, as well as regular performance reviews and feedback.
VIDEO: Please share the link to a 1-minute YouTube video that answers the following “I identify as a Green Changemaker because...”. Ensure that your video does not exceed 60 seconds
https://youtu.be/CN9AMy92qq4
Impact Model: While reviewing applications, we identified a need to better understand the impact models for the innovations that applied. How would you describe the activities you engage in and what outcomes and long-term impact do they lead to?
We believe in holistic impact models that address short-term outcomes and long-term impacts. Our activities encompass five stages:
Research and Analysis: In-depth research and analysis for effective problem-solving.
Planning and Strategy: Data-driven plans considering resources, stakeholders, and timeline.
Implementation and Execution: Active implementation with team, partners, and stakeholders utilizing expertise, resources, and networks.
Monitoring and Evaluation: Data-driven monitoring to ensure progress towards intended outcomes.
Collaboration and Partnerships: Seeking collaborations to amplify impact through shared knowledge and resources.
Outcomes:
Transformational: Our solution enable long-term benefits such as improved and understandable climate education access by 90%, inclusion for underserved communities and countries, and implementation of impact driven green solutions by fellows.
Short-term impact: Climate curriculum implementation brings knowledge to students/youths and challenges them to come up with green innovations which will contribute to adaptation and low carbon economy. An example of this is the 200 secondary school students from our previous project that are engaging in different capacities and spreading climate education among their peers at different levels.
Medium-term impact: Virtual program expands reach, making climate education accessible beyond physical limitations.
Long-term impact: Our innovation contributes to climate action and sustainable development goals, fostering social and economic development in Africa.
Audience: Who are you most directly impacting through your work? Who is the target beneficiary? Please specify if the population you are reaching is underserved due to any of the following characteristics?
Geography Age - Youth
If you chose the "Other" option, please specify
How are you activating green changemakers?
Engaging emotions: Communicating climate change in a way that resonates with individuals’ specific situations to trigger an emotional engagement Building Understanding: communicating complex science, data and / or systems theory surrounding climate change in an accessible way, tailored to the specific audience and context Making progress visible: identifying tangible metrics that help people understand how their contribution is part of a bigger whole Imagining new possibilities: leading group processes to help people see the possibilities and consequences of acting; innovating new products, business models, or ways of organising Walking alongside individuals: offering one-on-one coaching, mentoring and troubleshooting; providing sustained energy to shift the inertia of the system Helping make the case: helping people to show the business case for emission reduction, find profitable products, innovating new business models Creating a community: bringing together peers to share learnings, reinforce behaviours, and develop positive social norms; hosting gatherings where people see their work as part of a bigger whole Addressing competing demands: helping people meet other needs and priorities to give them the capacity to attend to climate action Building enabling structures: using contracts, financial mechanisms, and other tools to facilitate and encourage action Creating accountability mechanisms: developing climate pledges and other means of holding individuals, organizations, and collectives accountable
If you chose the "Other" option, please specify
Organization Type: Which organization type best describes how your work or initiative has been organized or registered?
Nonprofit/NGO
Tell us briefly about how you have and/ or would like to engage partners or other changemakers to enhance your approach:
The stakeholders that will be involved in the implementation includes climate organizations, technology companies, and international organizations and We are about to sign a memorandum of understanding.
Savvy Fellowship: We are currently collaborating with Savvy Fellowship which has equipped over 9,524 entrepreneurs from 162 countries with the knowledge, skills, tools, resources, support network, and community to build sustainable, innovative, and profitable impact-driven businesses,
ITIS is collaborating with Savvy to recruit the highest-performing participants in the program. ITIS helps provide the climate incubator program with a pool of already trained climate professionals who have already birthed feasible green business ideas or have already started sustainable business projects in their countries while or after taking part in the ITIS program. Savvy , in turn, provides these select few participants, with a personalized training program, to further scale their businesses.
Finally, we partner with clean energy companies to provide training in renewable energy (Sirius X Energy), creating opportunities for fellows to pursue careers in the energy space. This approach will address the climate crisis by creating a pathway for students and youth to enter the clean energy industry and contribute to the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Annual budget: Hint: What is the cost for your current operations every year (or most recent year)? This is expenditure for your project or organization. The reference currency is the U.S. dollar.
$10k - $50k
Winning Impact Potential: How would winning the Green Changemakers Challenge impact and leverage your work?
Firstly, winning the prize from Ashoka would provide us with the necessary financial support to achieve the objectives outlined in the UNESCO youth demand research. Winning means that we can embark on our journey to impact over 10,000 individuals, primarily youths.
Furthermore, winning the challenge would also facilitate partnerships with local and international organizations that share our vision such as AIYCC and YOUNGO, enabling us to access additional resources and expertise to enhance our impact.
It will enable us to leverage the Ashoka network of participants and collaborate on the execution of our virtual fellowship in different African countries through partnerships with these youth initiatives.
The success of this fellowship will Harbor a future of change makers, and green innovative startups reducing emissions and green projects lead by youths and youths at the forefront of solving climate change.
With The implementation of our fellowship, by the end of 2025, we would have reached 3,000+ African youths, supported fellows to implement over 1,000 green initiatives.
The funding would also allow us to invest in key areas of growth and administration. This includes hiring key developers, and support teams to improve our technology platforms, enhance our outreach efforts, and provide excellent support to our community.
Skills Matching: If you win, you may have the opportunity to be matched with HSBC employees for skill-based mentorship. If matched, which of the following skills would you be most interested in receiving?
Brand Development