Young people have experience, passion, and insight rooted in the needs and challenges of their communities. DOT programs support youth to deepen their understanding of those needs and challenges, and provide them with the tools, knowledge, networks, and support to launch sustainable social initiatives that create positive change.
Youth develop entrepreneurial mindsets and communication, teamwork, decision-making, and digital skills. Their initiatives create a ripple effect of opportunities for themselves and others, leading to jobs, businesses, sustainable social and economic change, and transformed, resilient communities.
DOT Rwanda is mobilizing the potential of young people and the power of technology in Rwanda.
We’re doing this in three ways: by supporting young women and men to create opportunities and providing seed funding, networks, and mentors for their promising innovations; by working with government, civil society and private sector partners to accelerate digital inclusion through the Digital Ambassador Program; and through business competitions that support young people with the tools, skills and networks to become entrepreneurs.
Youth Leadership
We work with young college and university graduates who have the passion and will to create opportunities for themselves and their communities.
Supported by mentors, DOT Rwanda’s young leaders develop their digital technology and business skills, while gaining the confidence, knowledge and tools to pursue entrepreneurship. They also offer digital skills and innovation training to their communities, fostering a grassroots network of young people creating local opportunities.
After completing DOT’s programs, young people are empowered to be digitally-savvy, daring social innovators who can create opportunities and transform their communities.
Digital Ambassador Program
In partnership with Rwanda’s Ministry of Youth and ICT and the World Economic Forum, we are accelerating digital inclusion in Rwanda through the Digital Ambassador Program.
The Digital Ambassador Program recruits digitally-savvy young Rwandan women and men as Digital Ambassadors to deliver digital literacy training and create social enterprises, self-employment, and jobs in the digital economy. In alignment with the Rwanda Digital Talent Policy, Digital Ambassadors will drive digital adoption and bridge the ICT skills gap – establishing Rwanda as a hub for local content creation and an exporter of ICT skills in the region.
Over four years, 5,000 Digital Ambassadors will transform the lives of 5 million Rwandans through digital skills and adoption of e-services to drive digital inclusion – a youth-led movement that will fundamentally and sustainably transform communities across Rwanda.
Youth Business Competitions
DOT Rwanda’s business competitions encourage and support young entrepreneurs across the country.
It’s more than just a competition – we support young people through the process of business planning, and provide financial literacy and digital skills training.
Youth develop innovative and viable business ideas with our support, and pitch these ideas at our regional and national business competitions, where the most promising and innovative business are awarded startup capital.
After participating in our business competitions, young people are supported to launch their initiative as a sustainable social enterprise or business.
Our programs provide young people with the opportunity to develop skills, deep knowledge, networks, and investment in their ideas. Key to the success of all of DOT’s young leaders is:
Experience-based learning
DOT provides training to young people while they build their skills and abilities in and alongside local communities, business, institutions, and organizations.
Community impact
young people put their knowledge to work, and gain a deep understanding needs, challenges, and what they can contribute to their local community.
Networks
our young leaders are connected with peers, global networks, mentors, and networks of partners who all play a role in growing their ideas.
Investment
we believe in investing in young people as changemakers and innovators. DOT supports youth through stipends, job placements, seed funding, and incentives.