The Swedish Institute is constantly working towards developing different processes and ways of methodology, with the objective to successfully support individuals in our partner-countries. The greatest challenge of 2020, has been as for many others, to abstain from physical meetings and to digitally operate all of our projects.
During this fall, the Swedish Institute has carried out a digital pilot project with alumni and young entrepreneurs in Zimbabwe. The project is resource-efficient and pliable, it pairs knowledge methodology with a specific challenge. The purpose of the project is to explore new ideas and to create innovative concepts. Participants have also expanded their competence within innovation- and design methodology.
The project made good use of the potential that digital tools possess – which was appreciated as it diminished the physical boundaries of interacting remotely. The tools used were video-calls, online whiteboards and chats, and interactive platforms for learning. They were deployed with the intention of collaboration in an effective and creative fashion.
The challenge the group chose to face was the high unemployment numbers within the young population in Zimbabwe – a generation that often has a distorted view of the career- and life choices available to them. The group was hoping to inspire and challenge students and graduates to dare try alternative lines of duty then the traditional, where the opportunities of employment are few.
After a series of workshops together with students, graduates, entrepreneurs, and teachers from different universities an idea was born: to arrange an online event based on three themes, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and leadership. A group has started planning and the event will be held in the spring of 2021.