The Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Association of Nigeria (MWFAAN) is set to host the 2020 Beyond School Community Challenge (BSCC). The beyond school community challenge is a national community development and entrepreneurship program for students from ages 13 to 17, which aims at engaging young people in Nigeria for the purpose of creating impact within their community and developing critical entrepreneurial skills. This is an initiative of the Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Association of Nigeria (MWFAAN), with support from the U.S mission in Nigeria.
The Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Association of Nigeria (MWFAAN) is a body of young persons with its membership drawn from all sectors of the economy, as beneficiaries of the US State Department’s Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).
The BSCC provides a platform for outstanding secondary school students to provide solutions to problems around their environment by creating community development projects. Guided by mentors, the students identify the challenge and proffer viable entrepreneurial concepts to address the challenge.
The challenge identifies top finalists annually from the pool of applications received across Nigeria. These top finalists are then invited to pitch their entrepreneurial ideas after which the winning teams are awarded prizes in form of project and educational grants.
The 2020 Beyond School Community Challenge is a web and STEM-based hackathon on solutions to help Nigerian communities survive the COVID-19 pandemic. The hackathon topics will be based on cases revolving around Medicine/Health and Wellness, Education, Agriculture, Women and Girls’ Development, Entrepreneurship, and Sports for communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. These prospective social entrepreneurs who will be providing solutions to address the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and also the post- COVID era, will receive support through funding and mentorship.
Top 20 Teams/Applications will be selected by the review selection committee and would be further screened to top ten by the Principal Review Panel via virtual means to ascertain the authenticity of every application process. This will include coordinated phone conversations, live interviews via Zoom for every team shortlisted. The one-week hackathon will take place for all 20 teams and the top 10 teams will be invited for an elevator pitch and voting process by the audience at the virtual Summit where the 3 Top Teams/Finalists will emerge as winners.
This year, we have planned to award the best three teams with cash grants; access to three months mentoring from industry experts and Mandela Washington Fellows, award plaques and certificates for the teams involved, and cash prizes for the best mentor/teacher.
The call for applications for the 2020 Beyond School Community Challenge is ongoing and will close on 12 September, 2020. Those interested are advised to visit the MWFAAN website mwfaan.org or https://form.jotform.com/202346185588564 to access the application forms.
Seed funding for teams will be provided for the top three winners as follows:
– First Prize – N350,000
– Second Prize – N250,000
– Third Prize – N150,000
– 4th-10th – Certificates of Recognition.
There shall be a presentation of certificates to all the teams.
Eligibility.
Applications are open to teams and not individuals.
* A team must be made up of 3 students and 1 student advisor.
* Students should be currently enrolled in a secondary school in Nigeria.
* Students must be aged between 13 – 17.
* Past National Winning schools for the 1st 2nd and 3rd position are ineligible for this year’s nomination.
* Student advisor/mentor should be above 20 years and should either be a teaching or non-teaching staff member of the school where the students are enrolled.
*Students can come from different schools but must agree on a name and be willing to work together under their mentor in proffering community-based solutions to Covid-19.
* Must have access to strong and reliable internet.
Selected teams will be duly notified by mid-September and their names published on our website and social media platforms
Signed.
Austine Okorodudu
Publicity Secretary, MWFAAN
