Deadline: January 31, 2021

Applications are open for the DOW/YALI RLC Accra Design Challenge for Sustainable Waste Management 2021. The DOW/YALI RLC Accra Design Challenge targets YALI RLC Accra Alumni working in the environmental sustainability space to validate the assumptions and explore the opportunities that motivate the search for solutions for waste management in the region.

The challenge adopts techniques which communicate, interact, empathize and stimulate its participants, helping them to obtain an understanding of their needs, desires and experiences. It is a unique approach to problem solving; one that starts with the people you are designing for and ends with new solutions that are tailor-made to suit their needs. The process will also involve the adoption and utilization of inspiration, ideation and implementation in the problem-solving approach.

This process is contextualized in a two-part online curriculum centered on sustainability, the SDGs and the Circular Economy. This is not a theoretical program – participants will actually prototype their solutions to the Design Challenge and build on the ideas as they progress through this curriculum. The course follows the “Watch – Think – Do – Explore – Collaborate” pedagogy in a highly experiential learning format. Throughout the duration of the program, Alumni will discuss their own experiences and deepen their knowledge in key areas where further sustainability practice and development are needed. The Design Challenge for Sustainable Waste Management will be held online over a twelve (12) week period, starting tentatively in mid-March, 2021.

Prize

• The completion of the Design Challenge will pave way for the YALI Alumni Innovation Award, an online ceremony where participants will present their ideas and receive feedback from a panel of judges. The online session will also host and provide an instructive conversation with an online audience of Alumni of the Center. The highlight of the award ceremony will be the announcement of the winning Challenge group. The winning group will receive $10,000 to implement their challenge project/ idea.

Eligibility

• Open to Alumni of the YALI RLC Accra;
• They must be working in the Circular Economy/Green/Sustainable waste management space, irrespective of the track.

Application

The application period is open until January 31, 2021. After the close of applications, the selection process will take place in February 2021 with the training for the Challenge commencing in mid-March and run for a total of twelve weeks.

Click here to apply

For more information, visit DOW/YALI RLC Accra.