Evolve Academy

60% of Cameroon's population consist of youths and of this number about 7%(1.2 million) of them unemployed. Around 30% of recent graduates in Cameroon face unemployment. A major reason for this high level of unemployment is the due to the lack of employability skills in this digital age in about 75% of Cameroonian youth. Many lack basic digital (such as productivity software, online navigation) and soft skills (such as critical thinking, problem solving, team work just to name a few).

Contributing factors to this problem are

1. The current education system struggles to keep pace with the rapidly evolving job market, leaving students and graduates equipped for the digital age. 
2. NGOs and other private organization have taken the responsible to address this problem but the number have reach out is limited due to the traditional approach and a rapidly growing population. 

Our solution is two-fold; 

1. In-Demand Skills Training: We organize comprehensive training programs tailored to needs of our community. Trainings take place at community centers (such as schools or churches with suitable facility) and our tech hub.

Our training modules covers key areas such as basic computer literacy, internet usage, productivity software, online collaboration, communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork and leadership.

2. DigiEmpower: We digitally empower organizations that offer soft skills training so as to enable them to reach a larger audience and be more effective. 

To help them leverage digital tools such LMS (Learning Management Systems), online collaboration tools, cloud storage, video conferencing to meet a larger audience.

Our goal is to empower 120,000 (10% of the 1.2 million) unemployed youths in Cameroon by the year 2030 with essential digital and soft skills to thrive in digital age.

• We serve youths, students, graduates who lack the specific these essential skills for employability given the fact that our current educational system might not prioritize developing such skills in learners. We also serve workers who want to build this skills to grow in their career.
• Through DigiEmpower, we empower organizations (Non-profit organizations, Educational institutions) that deliver soft skills training programs to reach a wider audience in underserved communities, multiplying the impact of their training programs and offering a more engaging and scalable training experience. 

We have two core team members who are all nationals of Cameroon currently living in Yaoundé wide exposure to this problem.

• Ngala Daryl: A seasoned software engineer and youth leader passionate about youth empowerment with extensive experience working with youth development programs. As youth leader in the a local Church in Yaoundé, he has encountered so many youths who because of the lack of basic skills have lost job opportunities. At his place of work, many youths have had to work under him mostly on internships. Many of them demonstrating inability to deliver due to lack of basic soft skills and he has had to guide and orient them. He has lead empower staffs in local organizations such as the ICT University, IAI with digital skills training.
• Nkwain Gaius: A final year software engineering student and part-time tech trainer and curriculum developer. He has helped fellow students in and out of the university to acquire critical skills that enable them succeed and prepare for the job market. He he also to participate in youth programs organized by local NGO's aimed at building essential skills in youths.

Additional Team Members (as needed):

• Trainers: 

We partner with local experts in various fields to deliver the trainings. 

• Volunteer Assistants:

Both leads mentor various students at the academic level. They who assist with various

Last year July 2023, we organized a training program at a community Church in Yaoundé where we were able to empower about 40 youths with relevant digital skills. Through that program we were able to test our curriculum, access the impact on the communion and get valuable insight and feedback that is helping us to improve on our solution.

This year, through DigiEmpower, we are empowering an NGO, World Changers Association that trains leaders for change to digitally scale their soft skill training programs such that they can be reach a larger scope.

Our goal which is to empower 120,000 (10% of the 1.2 million) unemployed youths in Cameroon by the year 2030 with essential digital and soft skills to thrive in digital age is indeed massive. Though passionate, we realize there a lot we still have to learn in order to accomplish to task. That's why we are applying to solve.

Technical Barriers: We hope to get mentorship from experienced educational technology experts via solve will help us in developing a robust online learning platform or source educational materials and resources.

Impact Measurement: We also want to develop a metrics to track the impact of our programs that will help us ensure we are meeting are goal.

Seed Funding: Secure initial funding to establish the program infrastructure, develop core curriculum materials, and pilot the program with a small group of participants.

We young Cameroonians are smart, but the skills we have don't quite match the jobs companies are offering. That's why we created evolve academy.

We teach digital skills, productivity software, online collaboration. But we also focus on the things that make a great worker in any job: talking clearly, working well with others, and figuring out problems.

Community-Driven Approach: We don't teach the same way everywhere. We team up with local groups who know their communities best. Together, we create lessons that make sense to the local young.

Our focus is also on enhancing already existing programs or organizations to reach a larger communities.

Potential for Broader Impact:

• We are going to develop open-source learning materials that other organizations can utilize for similar initiatives.
• DigiEmpower will be replicated in other existing organizations hence increasing impact.
• In the future our solutions can be adapted and replicated in other African countries facing similar challenges.

Imagine a Cameroon where young people aren't just graduating, they're graduating into jobs with the skills required to thrive in a changing digital age. 

Through our training programs, we equip young people with the digital skills they need and also focus on the soft skills – communication, teamwork, problem-solving. These are the skills that make a great employee, no matter the field. Through this we will have more young Cameroonians with the skills they need to land jobs. More young people with the confidence to lead and innovate. This isn't just about individual success, it's about building a stronger, more digitally empowered Cameroon for everyone.

We also digitally equip organizations that already offer such trainings. By doing so their reach expands and the number of youths impacted also increases.

Impact Goals: Empowering Cameroonian Youths

1. 120,000 Empowered Youths by 2030

   • Indicators:
     • Number of youths trained through our programs.
     • Number of youths trained through partner organizations we have empowered.
     • Job placement rates among program participants.
     • Long-term employment outcomes (sustained employment, career growth).
     • Community-level changes (increased productivity, local leadership).
2. Digital Empower 25 organizations
   • Indicators:
     • Number of organizations digitally empowered.
3. Economic Growth and Innovation
   • Indicators:
     • Contribution to GDP through a skilled workforce.
     • Entrepreneurship rates among program graduates.
     • Innovation and technology adoption in local businesses.

Measuring Progress

1. Data Collection:

   • Regular assessments during and after training programs.
   • Surveys and interviews with participants.
   • Tracking employment outcomes and success stories.

2. Feedback Loops:

   • Continuous feedback from beneficiaries guides our program improvements.
   • Adaptation based on real-world experiences.

3. Collaboration with Partners:

   • Engaging local organizations and employers.
   • Monitoring participant progress post-training.

Our Core Technology

Learning Management System (LMS):

• Evolve Academy leverages on existing LMS to deliver training programs.

• LMS hosts digital courses, tracks progress, and provides interactive learning experiences.
• By using technology, we reach more youths efficiently and ensure consistent content delivery.

• Full-time staff: 2
• Part-time staff: 7
• Others: Not fixed, engaged on need based approach

2 years

• We intentionally seek leaders from different genders, ethnicities, abilities, and age groups. 
• Our goal is to increase representation of underrepresented groups across all levels of our organization.
• We also actively listen to team members’ experiences and concerns.
• Our seek out growth opportunities and encourage team members to partake in them. 

Our business model at Evolve Academy is designed to sustainably empower Cameroonian youth while ensuring our impact reaches as many individuals as possible. Here’s how it works:

1. Training Programs:

   • We offer comprehensive training programs on digital literacy and soft skills.
   • Participants pay a nominal fee to cover program costs (materials, trainers, infrastructure).
   • Community centers, schools, and churches host our sessions.

2. Digital Empowerment Services:

   • For organizations like the World Changers Association, we provide digital empowerment services.
   • These services are offered on a subscription or partnership basis.
   • Fees support ongoing program development and maintenance.

3. Collaborations and Grants:

   • We actively seek partnerships with NGOs, government agencies, and private companies.
   • Collaborations may involve joint funding, resource sharing, or capacity building.
   • Grants from impact-focused organizations further sustain our work.

While we generate revenue, our primary focus remains on accessibility and impact. We strive to keep our programs affordable and inclusive, ensuring that even those with limited resources can benefit. 🌟🇨🇲

Our financial sustainability plan at Evolve Skill Empowerment is multifaceted, ensuring both impact and revenue. Here’s how we achieve it:

1. Training Programs Revenue:

   • We charge nominal fees for our training programs.
   • Over the past year, participant fees have covered program costs, allowing us to sustain operations.

2. Digital Empowerment Services Subscription:

   • Organizations subscribe to our digital services.
   • Our partnership with the World Changers Association demonstrates successful subscription-based collaboration.

3. Collaborations and Grants:

   • We actively seek partnerships with NGOs, government agencies, and private companies.