More Girls In Tech or Acceleration Program to Challenge the Gender Divide
Digital change is increasingly leading to digital gaps. Around 200 million fewer women than men have access to the Internet worldwide, as access to the Internet is increasingly recognised as an important prerequisite for social and economic participation. Women are also highly underrepresented in digital professions, and there are not enough visible role models for girls and young women who are interested in these professions.
This is why Germany has, under its G20 presidency in 2017, launched the initiative “#eSkills4Girls”, which includes several activities initiated by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). As part of this global initiative the Impact Hub and the BMZ are conducting the #eSkills4Girls Challenge, supported by Google. The challenge aims to tackle the gender digital divide by increasing the participation of women and girls in the digital economy and will support startups, social enterprises, and NGOs who are already promoting women in tech and bear proven and scalable potential. Startup Odessa is a local partner in the program.
Teams will be selected to present at the Women20 Summit in Berlin this April 2017. Winning teams will also receive a package of support from BMZ, Impact Hub and Startup Odessa to further scale their ideas.
Who are we looking for?
We are scouting for startups, social enterprises, NGOs who support the inclusion of women in the technology/digital sector. The project selection criteria includes scaling potential, impact model, proof of concept, and impact on female empowerment.
What’s in it for participants?
- Exploration Workshop – March 25-26, Odessa
Two-day innovation workshop to explore local challenges & opportunities facing inclusion of women in technology, and support from expert mentors to refine ideas. Two winning teams from each region will be selected to attend the Women20 Summit in Berlin. - Impact Week & Women20 Summit in Berlin, Germany – April 21 to 25, 2017
Travel and expenses paid trip to Berlin, to explore the social innovation ecosystem and further refine and implement ideas with global winners during a two-day Hackathon. Participants will attend and showcase their work at the Women20 Summit. - Mentoring – April to October 2017! Stay tuned in with the global social entrepreneurship network through access to mentorship and support at Impact Hub Odessa and Startup Odessa