MEA | Q3 2024 16 Jul23190 Jun24415 Best Community Youth Engagement Program Provider 2024 - Kenya Swahilipot Hub Foundation (Swahilipot) is a “safe space to create, innovate, and collaborate”, open to all members of the community aged 18 to 35, whether they are an entrepreneur, developer, creative, or interested in technology and innovation. It is the first ever hub in the heart of Mombasa County that blends technology and the arts to create a platform for individuals to upskill and showcase their work. In light of Swahilipot’s success within the African Excellence Awards 2024, we take a closer look. It was back in 2016 when Mahmoud Noor founded Swahilipot Hub Foundation, saying, “Why are all technology, innovation, and incubation hubs based in Nairobi? Nairobi is not Kenya and Kenya is not Nairobi. Something has to change. [This was an] ‘aha’ moment that inspired the founding of Swahilipot.” Supported by National Museums of Kenya (NMK), Seacom, ICT Authority, and Cisco, Mahmoud launched Mombasa’s very own technology and arts hub. Swahilipot started out as community-based organisation (CBO) with programmes focused on technology and innovation. By 2017, it had become a non-profit organisation (NGO), regulated by the NGO Coordination Board of Kenya, with a growing community and portfolio of diverse programme areas. Today, Swahilipot is dedicated to its sole mission of connecting 20,000 youths on the Kenyan Coast to a wide variety of projects and sustainable employment opportunities that unleash their full potential, keeping technology, entrepreneurship, and skills development at its core. Understanding that every young person is unique, it strives to empower them by implementing a personalised mentorship approach. This comes within a range of different programmes and services that get their creative juices flowing, including training workshops, mentorship programmes, networking events, access to co-working spaces, and maker labs. Such initiatives provide the necessary resources and skills to inspire individuals to flourish in the digital world and beyond. “Together, we can explore endless possibilities, support one another’s growth, and make a positive impact on our society.” For tech enthusiasts, Swahilipot provides programmes including Data and Research, Digital Literacy, Industrial Attachment, Campus Ambassador, and Pitching Thursday. Meanwhile, the creative department nurtures talent and brings ideas to life through initiatives such as Sanaa Show and Sanaart Shop, as well as acting, voice arts, and diverse artistic expressions, which stimulate artists to make a difference within the community. Further, Swahilipot’s projects embrace local heritage by connecting the past and the future with pride. This isn’t all, for Swahilipot also hosts a series of events to supplement its programmes, and in 2018 came the first edition of Pwani Innovation Week (PIW), its first major activity focused on promoting technology and innovation in the coastal region of Kenya. On the last day of PIW, Swahilipot hosted Pwani Gat Talent, a key event showcasing the arts in the coastal region of Kenya. Next in the Swahilipot journey, it, in 2021, became an anchor partner for Global Opportunity Youth Network (GOYN) in Mombasa, securing its first grant as an NGO. GOYN is based at the Aspen Institutes Forum for Community Solutions and is a multi-stakeholder initiative that seeks to create place-based systemic shifts for youth economic opportunity. Working with anchor partners around the world such as Swahilipot, the aim is to create economic mobility for “opportunity youth”, defined as young people aged 18 to 35 who are out of school, unemployed, or not in education or training. With this support, Swahilipot was able to transition from a volunteer-led organisation to hiring full-time staff on payroll. By 2022, Swahilipot had commenced the Modern Heritage of Africa (MoHoA) workshop, its first major event under the programme area of heritage. Hosted in a hybrid format (in-person at Swahilipot and virtually), the event welcomed speakers and participants from around the world. Key partners included National Museums of Kenya, ICCROM, University of Cape Town, University College London, African World Heritage Fund, ICOMOS, IUCN, and UNESCO. Since 2018, Swahilipot Hub Foundation has organized Pwani Innovation Week, the largest innovation event in Kenya’s Coast region, spotlighting and promoting the innovation and investment potential of East Africa. This event brings together young people, academia, private sector, government, development partners, international organizations, and the local community to showcase their work, learn, network, and encourage investment along the Swahili coast. This year marks the 5th edition of Pwani Innovation Week, scheduled for October 14th – 18th at Swahilipot Hub Foundation. For more details, visit [Pwani Innovation Week] (https://www.pwaniinnovationweek.co.ke/) Most recently, in 2023, Swahilipot was certified as equivalent to a Certified Public Charity in the United States of America, meaning that US grant makers can fund Swahilipot directly. Indeed, Swahilipot Hub Foundation has come a long way since it was first founded eight years ago. It is not just a physical building, but it has blossomed into a vibrant community where members know they can express themselves freely. It places great importance on everyone’s voice being heard and respected, no matter their tribe, religion, political affiliation, or social status, fostering a safe space where everyone feels included and valued. It is a community that promotes love, unity, and peaceful coexistence, and it believes that nurturing a sense of camaraderie and understanding is the key to creating a stronger, more harmonious society. It encourages meaningful partnerships among its members, as collaboration often leads to amazing accomplishments. Swahilipot Hub provides an environment that celebrates diversity, exploration, learning, and creativity, giving individuals excellent opportunities and lifting them up to thrive and achieve their full potential, all while having a positive impact on the wider population, too. Company: Swahilipot Hub Foundation Email: [email protected] Website: www.swahilipothub.co.ke
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