Work
Strengthening Kenya's micro-retail sector
Reaching thousands of aspiring and established micro-retailers with engaging video content. Designing a multi-level learning experience that speaks to “backpack” retailers, as well as kiosk owners at different business stages. Program designed for large scale, and as a job-matching vehicle
ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES OFFERED:
- Supported definition of different levels and target groups within the micro-retail sector
- Co-created the virtual course format on MESH, a networking and skill-building platform for micro-entrepreneurs
- Co-designed curricula, including learning goals, methods and content
- Created video prompts, material mockups and conversation pointers for all modules
IMPACT AND INSIGHTS:
- Two distinct course offers for established and aspiring micro-retailers reaching thousands of micro-retail entrepreneurs
- Key lesson: Short, fast-paced videos can be effective in engaging young learners in the informal sector. Providing just enough information that’s interesting and inspiring, triggers deeper learning and exploration. This approach is also highly scalable, enabling us to reach more learners and have a greater impact.
PARTNERS:
Piloting new approaches to sustain entrepreneurship and employability support
Most entrepreneurship and employability support programs are temporary, ending when project funding runs out. We partnered with the Next Economy Consortium to seek out solutions for sustaining programs and impact.
Working with Consortium partners, we supported the piloting of new program offerings, sources of support and community engagement approaches — aimed at unlocking sustainability. Experiments focused on selling entrepreneur support, harnessing alumni networks and engaging local business communities.
ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES OFFERED:
- Developed an innovation and exploration framework
- Coached 6 partner organizations in developing and implementing their pilots
- Facilitated an iterative learning approach, allowing for both successes and failures to inform continuous improvement.
IMPACT AND INSIGHTS:
A structured and facilitated framework for iterative exploration combined with modest funding and an openness to failure can unlock insightful lessons on new approaches and sustainability.
PARTNERS:
Supporting community-driven innovation ecosystem mapping efforts in Uganda
Seeking to harness existing networks and connect innovators contributing to nutrition and food security in Uganda. Our work, in partnership with Amarin Financial, contributed to the wider Local Innovations for Nutrition Solutions program, implemented by the Resources Innovation Lab and Save the Children.
ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES OFFERED:
Technical review of and backstopping support in developing frameworks for data collection, mapping, tools and reports.
IMPACT AND INSIGHTS:
Community-driven ecosystem mapping is more effective in the long run — in revealing insightful information and building deeper relationships.
PARTNERS:
Strengthening entrepreneurship support organizations in 6 countries to spur the growth of startups and drive job creations
Strengthening entrepreneur support organizations to improve their programs, share better impact stories, fundraise from diverse sources and become more sustainable.
ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES OFFERED:
Delivery of Needs Assessments using the Hub Collective platform
Delivery of training in:
- Impactful Storytelling: Foundational theory, planning and systems for institutionalizing storytelling, running a campaign
- Fundraising: Exploring donor networks, fundraising processes, fundraising strategy
- Sustainability: Revenue stream exploration, budget analysis, sustainability planning and measurement tools
- 1:1 feedback offered on campaigns, fundraising strategies and sustainability plans
IMPACT AND INSIGHTS:
Participating entrepreneurship support organizations:
- Developed stories that could be used in community and donor communications.
- Identified new revenue streams using tools to support sustainability planning and measurement.
- Were able to create a fundraising strategy in line with organizational needs.
PARTNERS:
Improving business awareness and learning among Shuzaaz' massive community of young people
Auditing the Shujaaz Biz Program, a peer-led skill-building initiative reaching millions of young people in the Shujaaz Fan network and community. Analyzing the vision, structure, strengths and gaps of the existing program, and refining the curriculum and program components to get the program ready for scale.
ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES OFFERED:
- Deep dive into existing materials and concepts
- Detailed analysis of the vision, structure, strength and gaps of the existing program
- Co-creation of refined program curricula for different skill levels
- Development of video prompts, material mockups and conversation pointers for the entry level program
IMPACT AND INSIGHTS:
Participating entrepreneurship support organizations:
- Full program audit conducted
- Two curricula refined
- Key lesson: A peer-based learning approach is not only scalable, but more empowering and credible than traditional training approaches
PARTNERS:
Making financial literacy training accessible for young Kenyan micro-entrepreneurs
To develop a learning program to establish a financial literacy foundation for over 1 million young people across Kenya.
To curate relevant content and create a virtual, peer-based learning offering specifically for young people working in the informal sector
ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES OFFERED:
- Facilitate program and curriculum design sessions
- Co-create curriculum, leveraging existing material from UAP Old Mutual, including learning goals, methods and content
- Develop video prompts, material mockups and learning conversation topics
IMPACT AND INSIGHTS:
- The Financial literacy course tailored to the day-to-day realities of youth across Kenya
- Key lesson: Most financial literacy trainings are designed with young professionals or university graduates in mind; in order to fit for the informal sector, a learning offer has to a) start with the basics, b) provide deeply relatable examples and relevant content that works for very small amounts of money, and mobile and cash transactions
PARTNERS:
Empowering adolescent girls and young women in rural Kenya
To instill a sense of agency and helping young women make independent life choices regarding relationships, financial and entrepreneurial aspirations.
For this purpose, we co-created the ‘Empress Hubs’ — peer-powered, safe spaces for learning and sharing moderated by young women for young women.
ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES OFFERED:
- Co-designed the format and program of the Empress Hubs
- Developed video prompts, exercises and peer discussion topics
- Developed moderator training curriculum and materials, including moderation cards for guidance
IMPACT AND INSIGHTS:
- Entrepreneurship can be challenging, particularly for young women in Kenya’s informal sector who face additional hurdles related to family responsibilities, relationships, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and finances. To help them navigate these complexities, we found that trusted and safe spaces facilitated (tactful) Entrepreneurship can be challenging, particularly for young women in Kenya’s informal sector who face additional hurdles related to family responsibilities, relationships, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and finances. To help them navigate these complexities, we found that trusted and safe spaces facilitated (tactful) conversations, relatable examples, and peer engagement — and a focus on instilling inspiration, confidence and skills — can be an effective and supportive combination.
PARTNERS:
Inspiring and upskilling young Agripreneurs in Western Kenya
Developing a peer-based, blended entrepreneurship program for young agripreneurs in Western Kenya, with a focus on Passion Fruit Farming, Poultry and Apiculture
ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES OFFERED:
- Co-designed a curriculum aimed at mindset change as well as skill building, featuring innovative businesses and relatable role models
- Developed video prompts, light exercises and learner discussion topics
IMPACT AND INSIGHTS:
Key lesson: Many young people view agri-related jobs as unappealing, unprofitable, and dirty. To enable them to pursue livelihoods in agripreneurship, it’s essential to first change their mindsets. A peer-based approach that showcases successful agripreneurship practices and techniques while building relevant entrepreneurship skills is crucial
PARTNERS:
Creating a positive perceptions of entrepreneurship for youth in Africa
Showcasing relatable success stories of young entrepreneurs to inspire youth to consider entrepreneurship as a viable option for their own professional pursuits.
Strengthening Entrepreneurship Support Organizations’ storytelling capabilities to highlight the impact of our collective efforts.
ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES OFFERED:
- Developed and delivered training on impactful storytelling theory, tools and campaign development
- 1:1 consulting and review of stories and support during campaign phase
IMPACT AND INSIGHTS:
With a small budget, ESOs were able to reach at least 10 times the audience size of an organic post. The campaign’s 11 stories reached a total of 14,000 people organically, and 1.13 million through an ad with a budget of only $50
PARTNERS:
Supporting a tech incubator to grow their sustainability and support more startups
Strengthening a tech incubator to grow their sustainability, in an area where young tech entrepreneurs struggle to access training and capacity building
ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES OFFERED:
- Development of fundraising strategy design process
- Facilitation of donor network mapping and prioritization session
- Review of fundraising strategy
IMPACT AND INSIGHTS:
Techbridge was able to develop a fundraising strategy in line with organizational strategy and donor priorities
PARTNERS:
Supporting organizations to increase gender inclusivity at every level
Working with NGOs and ESOs to identify barriers to gender inclusivity at their organizations and actions to overcome them.
ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES OFFERED:
- Researching successful approaches and actions to improve gender inclusivity
- Developing self-assessment for gender inclusivity across four core areas
- Facilitating gender self-assessments
IMPACT AND INSIGHTS:
Impact can be incremental, with small actions and small budgets.
Thinking about gender inclusivity can open the door to thinking about intersectional diversity and inclusivity
PARTNERS:
On demand SME entrepreneurs across the world to "trade and grow beyond borders"
Established SME entrepreneurs across the world encounter challenges to expanding their businesses internationally. By addressing specific barriers to scaling business internationally, the Trade and Grow Beyond Borders program aims to support entrepreneurs in growing stable businesses, finding new international markets and navigating trade issues.
ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES OFFERED:
Contextual reference, backstopping support and curriculum review
IMPACT AND INSIGHTS:
Contributing to a truly global entrepreneurship support initiative linking entrepreneurs to new global markets.
PARTNERS:
Unlocking partnership and collaboration opportunities in the entrepreneurship support ecosystems of Rwanda and Tanzania
Exploring collaboration opportunities to better support young women SME entrepreneurs through systems approaches.
Proactively co-creating collaborative programs to serve entrepreneur communities
ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES OFFERED:
- Conducting research and needs analyses on ecosystem collaboration
- Facilitating multi-stakeholder design sessions
- Identifying common ground and defining collaborative solutions
- Detailing concept and developing concept notes
IMPACT AND INSIGHTS:
ESOs co-created collective approaches to support young women entrepreneurs in Tanzania and Rwanda. Concepts were developed through a facilitated design process that focused on increasing transparency and trust between the stakeholders. The emerging concept notes were then shared with the donor community, demonstrating a paradigm shift where ESOs took the lead in proactively developing and proposing impactful initiatives.
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