Context

Although Zimbabwe has one of the highest literacy rates in Africa (over 80%), it also has one of the highest unemployment rates on the continent. There is a huge gap, highly educated people with no possibility to apply their expertise on a job and earn an income.

Our Solution

We believe that in order to innovate, people need the spaces equipped with the right tools. Our solution is creating these spaces to enable open innovation and create solutions to problems affecting their communities. We have identified a location in Bulawayo to build the first ever Nook in Zimbabwe, in partnership with Project Defy.

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What is a Nook?

A Nook is an innovation space where people get together to:

• Identify interests and problems to solve.
• Learn how to create solutions through the internet and mentor support.
• Build projects / business and scale them.

How does it work?

• We identify suitable buildings, install solar power, computers, laptops and internet for the computer lab.
• We build workshops with diverse electric and hand tools.
• Appoint hub managers to maintain the spaces and support the innovators.
• Open up the spaces to young people that are curious and excited to create.
• Provide mentorship to them during their creation process.
• Ensure that the nooks are networking with each other to share knowledge and experiences.

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We are partnering with other local organizations such as Friends for Matibi in establishing nooks around the country.