Application opens for $100k IDEAS digital skills award
January 16, 2023448 views0 comments
By Alexander Chiejina
Application for the Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) project, which is a World Bank-assisted project of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) is open to all Nigerians.
The IDEAS Project seeks to improve Nigeria’s labour market’s suitability for skill development by releasing crucial system drives for quality and relevance, particularly through harnessing industry participation and crowding in private resources.
Private sector organisations interested in supporting programmes to improve digital skills are encouraged to submit proposals for innovation grants with a minimum grant volume of $100,000. They are expected meet to possess the following requirements:
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Support the growth of digital literacies, digital fundamental skills, digital specialised skills, e-lancing, e-entrepreneurship, and/or e-marketing;
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Intend to offer training services, perhaps in combination with wrap-around services to increase the marketability of skills;
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Has built a strong gender component and aids in the development of digital skills among women and underprivileged youngsters;
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Establish clear connections between the training and employment options, as well as higher earnings through self-employment and entrepreneurship;
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Respond to the skills deficits in the industry;
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Promotes the establishment of digital skills and market development hubs and programs that will continue to operate when the project is finished.
Beneficiary organisations that qualify (grantees) must:
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Operate in Nigeria and be private or non-governmental organisations, including those that are for-profit and those that are not;
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Possess official registration in Nigeria;
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Operate for at least three years;
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Have prior expertise in Nigerian digital entrepreneurship development or training delivery.
Forms can be accessed via this web link – https://ideasproject.gov.ng/ – where the form can be downloaded, and filled. Completed forms are to be sent to nbte.pmu@ideasproject.gov.ng. Deadline for application is Monday, February 6, 2023.
The Federal Ministry of Education (FME) is the implementing agency for this project.
An Innovation Grant Facility (IGF) is a component of the IDEAS Project that will provide grants to private organisations on a competitive basis to assist with innovative training programmes in the fields of digital skills and digital entrepreneurship, such as digital literacy, specialised digital skills, and skills for ICT professions, to empower and give rise to new possibilities for youth (particularly girls and people with disabilities who have difficulty locating conventional job opportunities).