Case Study: Pact empowers youth entrepreneurs and sources post‑COVID solutions in four African nations with IdeaScale

Empowering Youth Entrepreneurs and COVID Solutions in Four African Nations

Pact, an international development nonprofit working in nearly 40 countries, launched AfrIdea in 2020 to unlock youth-led solutions to COVID-related challenges in Guinea, Mali, Senegal and Togo. Facing disrupted health, education and economic systems, Pact partnered with local organizations and used targeted outreach to invite 18–35-year-olds to propose innovations that could address pandemic-driven gaps while supporting young entrepreneurs.

Using IdeaScale and a seven‑phase program—proposal sourcing, feedback, selection, coaching, prototyping, pitching and funding—Pact engaged about 750 people who submitted 242 proposals and selected 40 finalists for mentoring. A hybrid 72‑hour idea‑a‑thon involved 120 innovators and 50+ mentors, leading to 12 demoed prototypes and opportunities for seed funding (up to $10,000 per country) plus six months of mentorship; resulting solutions ranged from parent‑teacher platforms and mask‑recycling to digital medical records and virtual science clubs, and the program strengthened community ties and female participation while streamlining a more inclusive granting process.

Pact

Taylor Cruz Mwila

Senior Innovation Officer