What is the Work in Progress! project?

Our Partners in progress

Together with our Alliance and project partners, we are pushing through the frontiers to ensure that young people are equipped with skills for today and the future to find paid jobs and set up their businesses in an environment that thrives. Below is a brief description of each partner with links to additional information.

In Nigeria, the project partner Poise works on advancing employability skills training and manages the Bits Schools, Ekobits and Edobits. These are both digital design schools. Poise Nigeria also works on gender influencing campaigns and offers trainings on Futures Literacy.  

She Leads Africa (SLA) is a startup accelerator focusing exclusively on women-founded startups through its High Growth Coaching Program. This is a digital program offering intensive training in business and operational skills for aspiring startups.

Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) provides business development support services for impact-driven SMEs. A key component of their core trainings and advisory services includes circular business practices. EDC is also involved in improving the enabling environment for SMEs and youth in Nigeria.

VC4A ensures that startups improve their operations and have access to business networks, knowledge and finance. They do this via their online Startup Academy, establish connections with startup incubators and accelerators, and by implementing the Mentor Driven Capital (MDC) programme in all three countries.

Butterfly Works is an Amsterdam-based social design studio pioneering the use of co-creation and design thinking in international development. It also an Alliance partner of WiP! Butterfly Works supports several TVET centers in Nigeria and Somaliland to improve their curricula including the introduction of the Digital Labs component and design thinking for startups.

Hanze University of Applied Sciences has been working on the basic foundations of Futures Literacy, particularly in Nigeria through WiP partner, Poise. The purpose is to implement FL in the regular training curricula of Poise and foster the mindset of FL within students and other stakeholders.

In Somaliland, Shaqodoon, is the partner that manages the Bits digital design school Hargabits, in Hargeisa.

In Boroma, the Somaliland Skills Training Association, SOSTA, is offering a range of vocational and technical skills trainings including soft employability skills. The start-up accelerator is Innovate Ventures, supported by VC4A and focused on tech start-ups. The project partners with Shuraako for Business Development Services and with Havoyoco for creating an enabling environment.

In Egypt, Icealex implements start-up support initiatives in Alexandria. Ahead of the Curve is the Business Development Service partner, and The Community Hub is focused on gender issues, wellbeing of youth, inclusion and entrepreneurship.