SDG Awards 2024

Finalist Profile

Welcome to the SDG Awards, a distinguished recognition program honoring the remarkable contributions of individuals, organizations, and initiatives in championing the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Finalist Profile

AIIDEV Africa

About Company

SDG Awards 2024

Category - SDG 8 - Decent work and economic growth

Economic Empowerment: Invests in building skills and capacities, enhancing individuals' ability to contribute to sustainable economic growth.

➜ Economic Empowerment: Invests in building skills and capacities, enhancing individuals’ ability to contribute to sustainable economic growth.
➜ Job Creation: Implement projects aimed at addressing poverty and inequality, facilitating the creation of decent work opportunities.
➜ Innovative Solutions: By promoting digital innovations, drives progress and efficiency in sustainable development.
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1. What is the local impact your organization has achieved regarding your selected SDG? (No Word Limit)

Our organization has made significant strides in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by fostering a culture of sustainability, innovation, and leadership among students and teachers across various communities. Through comprehensive training programs, we have empowered K-12 educators and students with knowledge and skills in key areas such as sustainable development, circular economy, green economy, artificial intelligence, and leadership. These efforts are focused on equipping the next generation to drive transformative change within their local environments. One of our key achievements is the successful implementation of SDG education, where students and teachers are not only educated about the global goals but are also encouraged to apply this knowledge practically. This has led to the emergence of a generation of young ambassadors for sustainability who are actively advocating for and practicing sustainable behaviors within their schools and communities. These young leaders are instrumental in promoting the SDGs, inspiring their peers, and taking on roles that contribute to broader societal change. A particularly impactful aspect of our program is the emphasis on practical application. Students and teachers have translated their learning into action by developing and producing local products that align with the principles of the circular and green economy. Examples of these products include recycled materials, sustainable agriculture projects, and small-scale renewable energy solutions. These initiatives not only reinforce the theoretical aspects of their education but also provide tangible benefits to their communities. The products created by students have been introduced to the market, creating economic opportunities and generating revenue for both students and schools. This initiative has instilled a sense of entrepreneurship among students, allowing them to see the direct economic benefits of sustainable practices. Each term, the sale of these products contributes to the financial sustainability of schools and supports the ongoing educational needs of students. Our efforts have also had a positive influence on the wider community. The knowledge and skills imparted through our training programs are shared by students and teachers with their families, neighbors, and local businesses, promoting sustainable practices and raising awareness of the SDGs. This has led to a broader cultural shift towards sustainability in the communities where we operate.The success of our initiatives has garnered recognition at both local and national levels, leading to partnerships with other organizations, government bodies, and educational institutions.

2. What is the global impact your organization has achieved regarding your selected SDG? (No Word Limit)

AIIDEV has made a profound global impact in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the African continent, emerging as a leading force in SDG education and capacity-building. Our organization has successfully trained over 10 million Africans across 35 countries, focusing on enhancing their capabilities and empowering them to contribute meaningfully to sustainable development. Through these extensive efforts, AIIDEV has established itself as the number one SDG trainer across Africa, a recognition that underscores our commitment to fostering transformative change through education. The Teach4SDGs Programme stands at the heart of AIIDEV's global impact. This ambitious initiative has been instrumental in training over 15,000 primary and secondary school teachers, who in turn have reached more than 5 million students across 2,000 schools. The program is designed to integrate Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into the curriculum, ensuring that students not only learn about the SDGs but also develop the skills, values, and attitudes necessary to drive transformative change in their communities and beyond. Teach4SDGs has been a catalyst for educational transformation in Africa, addressing the critical need for teachers to be equipped with the knowledge and competencies to effectively teach the SDGs. The program has made significant strides in enhancing the capacity of educators to deliver impactful, SDG-based education that aligns with the United Nations' 2030 Agenda. By focusing on the holistic development of both teachers and students, AIIDEV has fostered a generation of young leaders who are prepared to take on the challenges of sustainable development. The reach of the Teach4SDGs Programme has been remarkable, cutting across 35 African countries and touching diverse communities. The program's influence extends beyond the classroom, as trained educators and students become advocates for sustainability within their local and national contexts. This ripple effect has led to a growing awareness and commitment to the SDGs across the continent, as more individuals and communities are inspired to take action. One of the key achievements of AIIDEV's global impact is the creation of a network of SDG champions who are driving change in their respective countries. These champions, comprised of teachers, students, and community leaders, are at the forefront of efforts to localize the SDGs, making them relevant and actionable within their unique cultural and socio-economic contexts.

3. What is the scalability of your innovation and how do you plan to achieve it? (No Word Limit)

Teach4SDGs is an innovative educational program designed to empower K-12 educators across Africa with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to promote sustainable development. Recognizing the diverse educational landscapes and linguistic differences across the continent, Teach4SDGs aims to scale its impact by adapting its content for both Anglophone and Francophone countries. This includes translating program materials into French to ensure accessibility for educators in Francophone regions, thereby broadening the program's reach and inclusivity. The scalability of Teach4SDGs is anchored in its strategic approach to localization. Rather than employing a one-size-fits-all model, the program emphasizes the importance of tailoring its implementation to the unique contexts of individual countries. This involves close collaboration with local stakeholders, including Ministries of Education, teacher training institutions, and educational NGOs. By aligning the program with national education policies and development goals, Teach4SDGs ensures that its initiatives are relevant, sustainable, and supported by local institutions. A crucial component of the program’s scalability is its partnership strategy. Teach4SDGs seeks to collaborate with Federal Ministries of Education in each target country to ensure institutional buy-in and facilitate the integration of SDG education into national curricula. This partnership is vital for securing resources, such as funding and infrastructure, and for enabling large-scale capacity building for educators. Government collaboration also supports systematic monitoring and evaluation, allowing the program to track its impact and make necessary adjustments for continuous improvement. To overcome the logistical challenges of traditional face-to-face training, Teach4SDGs leverages technology as a key enabler for scaling. The program plans to develop online platforms and mobile applications that offer interactive training modules, resource libraries, and virtual communities of practice. These digital tools allow educators to access training and resources regardless of their geographical location, making it easier to reach teachers in remote and underserved areas.

4. What is your organization’s unique strategy for using technology to achieve your selected SDG? (150 Words Limit)

Our unique strategy for leveraging technology to achieve SDG 4, 8, 9 and 10 involves creating a comprehensive learning management system (LMS). This digital platform allows educators and students to access self-paced courses on sustainable development at their convenience. By facilitating flexible, on-demand learning, the LMS can onboard a large number of teachers and students simultaneously. This approach ensures broad and equitable access to quality SDG-based education, enabling educators to integrate sustainability into their teaching and students to engage with transformative content at their own pace.

5. What challenges did you encounter while working for your selected SDG, and how did you address them? (150 Words Limit)

Our initiative faced challenges in securing skilled tech experts and adequate resources for their compensation, which impacted the development of our learning management system (LMS). Additionally, organizing our database and integrating schools in rural areas proved difficult due to infrastructure limitations. To address these issues, we plan to provide essential gadgets to rural schools and seek targeted funding to support development, operational costs, and scaling. To ensure financial sustainability, we are pursuing diverse funding sources and partnerships to cover these expenses and enhance our technology and outreach efforts.

6. How did you engage local communities and stakeholders in your work, and what was their feedback? (150 Words Limit)

Engaging local communities and stakeholders involved navigating certification and attestation requirements, which proved challenging. Despite this, we received positive feedback. Ministries of Education and other key stakeholders endorsed and supported our project, largely due to the trust and credibility our organization has established. Their support has been crucial, reflecting a strong alignment with our goals and a shared commitment to advancing sustainable development education.

7. Which organizational skills and resources did you use to deliver goods/services without harming the environment or society? (150 Words Limit)

To deliver our services sustainably, we prioritize environmental and societal impacts by adopting eco-friendly practices. We conduct training sessions virtually, leveraging digital platforms to minimize paper waste and reduce our carbon footprint. Additionally, all project activities are designed with environmental responsibility in mind, from efficient resource management to implementing sustainable practices. This approach enables us to provide our services while safeguarding the environment and supporting the well-being of the communities we serve.

8. In your view what roles do businesses, governments, and civil society should play in achieving the SDGs, and how can they collaborate effectively? (150 Words Limit)

In my view, businesses, governments, and civil society must work together closely to achieve the SDGs. I suggest that all stakeholders come together as a unified working group, designing a comprehensive blueprint with short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals. Businesses should drive innovation and investment in sustainable solutions, while governments can provide essential policy frameworks and funding. Civil society organizations should focus on advocacy and grassroots mobilization. It's also crucial to establish robust feedback mechanisms, ensuring that every citizen has a voice and can contribute to the implementation process. This collaborative approach, supported by adequate financing and inclusive participation, will be key to making meaningful progress toward the SDGs.

9. What advice do you have for individuals or organizations aiming to create positive change and support the SDGs? (150 Words Limit)

My advice is that you should start now. Do wait till to have the entire money you need to My advice for those aiming to create positive change and support the SDGs is to start now. Don’t wait until you have all the funding or resources. Begin with small steps but think big and aim for expansion. Even if the vision is clear, avoid working in isolation—collaborate and partner with others to enhance your impact. Don’t be discouraged by a lack of immediate recognition or support. Focus on making a difference in every small way you can, and let that incremental progress drive your efforts toward larger goals.

10. How would winning this SDG Award help you enhance your impact and expand your project? (150 Words Limit)

Winning this SDG Award would significantly enhance our visibility, shining a spotlight on the impactful work we do. Beyond recognition, it would boost our credibility, enabling us to attract more potential partners and supporters who can help us scale our efforts. The award would serve as a powerful endorsement of our mission, opening doors to new opportunities, resources, and collaborations that would further our ability to make a meaningful difference. We deeply value the honour and the positive reputation that this award would bring to our organization.

11. What are your future objectives regarding your selected SDG? (150 Words Limit)

Our future objectives include expanding our capacity-building efforts for teachers, youth, and African citizens, empowering them to become the next generation of SDG changemakers, educators, and entrepreneurs. We aim to extend our impact across all 54 African countries, ensuring that our initiatives are deeply felt and effective in every region. Our goal is to create a robust network of informed and motivated individuals who can drive sustainable development at every level, fostering a continent-wide movement toward achieving the SDGs.