Call for Innovations
Ideathon Challenge on Lesotho STEAM Conference 2023
UNDP invites you to participate in ideas/innovations/creations aimed at addressing Lesotho’s emerging development issues with specific focus on the use of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) with the overall objective of addressing the extended NSDP II priority sectors being Agriculture, Manufacturing, tourism, mining and ICT. UNDP in partnership with the Ministry of Information and Communications, Science, Technology and Innovations jointly with the Ministry of Gender, Youth, Sports, Culture, Art and Social Development will host a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) conference in Lesotho from the 13th to 15th September 2023, as a strategic platform to facilitate policy dialogues to promote national capacities in this area, expose and inspire innovations and creativity. The winning innovations will attract awards ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 and/or a trip to Kenya, Nairobi to participate in a Youth Connekt Conference and/or mentorship through institutions of higher learning.
Eligibility
The call for innovations is targeted at all Lesotho residents.
- Location: interested innovators may be from any of the 10 districts of Lesotho.
- Organization: The innovators may apply either as individuals, partnerships, or companies. Up to two entries may be accepted per innovator.
- Women, youth, and disabled persons as well as their related organizations are encouraged to apply.
Specific requirements:
- In-school innovators UNDP invites innovative solutions and ideas from students in the Institutions of Higher Learning, in STEAM categories, and addressing development challenges and progress in mining, tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, and technology. This category includes all students in Lesotho universities, technical/TVET schools and colleges.
- Out-of-school innovators UNDP invites all interested Basotho particularly youth and women innovators, resident in Lesotho to submit innovative solutions/ideas to address development challenges and promote transformation in mining, tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, and technology through STEAM.
- All applicants must be proficient in Sesotho and English languages and be able to present their ideas to different audiences and platforms. Applicants must be above the age of 16 and below 35.
Interested innovators should express their interest to this call, by sending an email to [email protected]to be provided with guidance on how to register in the UNDP supplier portal, or directly access the call for proposals in the Link: https://www.undp.org/lesotho/procurement
The closing date for submission is on or before: Thursday 06 August 2023