UNLEASH Rwanda
UNLEASH Rwanda is the very first Innovation Lab for the Sustainable Development Goals that UNLEASH has ever organized on the African continent.
1000 young changemakers from 136 nationalities got together in Kigali during the first week of December 2023, where they co-created 200 solutions for the most pressing challenges that our planet is facing.
The Program
December 2
Opening Ceremony
December 3 – 6
Innovation process in teams | Cultural activity
December 7
Innovation wrap-up | Dragons’ Den
December 8
Closing Ceremony | Farewell party
December 2
Opening Ceremony
December 7
Innovation wrap-up | Dragons’ Den
December 3-6
Innovation process in teams | Cultural activity
December 8
Closing Ceremony | Farewell party
Leaving no one behind
UNLEASH’s vision is to become the most inclusive platform for the Sustainable Development Goals, that’s why we piloted a partnership with UNHCR in Rwanda to integrate 100 refugees into the Innovation Lab.
These young participants were part of the cohort of 1000 young changemakers who adopted the UNLEASH Methodology to develop solutions that tackle vital challenges in their communities.
The Top Solutions from each SDG Track
Each Innovation Lab tackles the Sustainable Development Goals by assigning Teams in different SDG Tracks, which are co-created with the UNLEASH Community and focus on challenges related to the region where the Innovation Lab is hosted in.
Learn about the SDG Tracks that Teams worked on during UNLEASH Rwanda here, and find out more about the winning solutions of each SDG Track below.
Sun Saver
SDG 1 and SDG 10
Financial Inclusion
This solar drying project buys surplus crops at peak season and sells those in off-season to local and international buyers at a premium. This will allow them to distribute the profits between farmers as a bundle of financial services (either as savings, loans or crop insurance) during the off seasons.
Sun Saver won the award for Most Inclusive Solution, supported by the Mastercard Foundation.
Diabeat-it
SDG 3
Non-Communicable Diseases
A project based on using USSD code that gives seven easy questions to the user based on which they will find out the level of risk of the loved one developing diabetes. This solution removes existing user barriers and helps people to understand their risk status and take action before developing symptoms or complications of diabetes.
Tuk Tuk Go
SDG 3 and SDG 5
Sexual and Reproductive Health
Tuk Tuk Go aims to tackle transportation challenges encountered by pregnant and post-natal women in remote areas of Zambia. The modified Tuk Tuks will transport women requiring access to healthcare facilities. Each Tuk Tuk is equipped with essential medical tools to address potential emergencies. Designed with comfort in mind, they feature stretchers and comfortable seating. Leveraging the reputation of Tuk Tuks worldwide, their sturdiness makes them suited to navigate the rural terrain and weather conditions of Zambia. The ownership and management of these Tuk Tuks will be vested in community members, ensuring community autonomy and empowerment.
JABANA
SDG 4, SDG 8 and SDG 9
ICT and Youth In Work
JABANA is inspired by the traditional gatherings in Sudan where women come together to drink coffee and share news about each other and their community in a safe environment. Through JABANA we intend to provide education to rural women in Sudan in a safe physical space where they can come together to learn skills and competencies that they can use to sell goods and products online through print-on-demand platforms and fundraising platforms such as Bonfire. This will enable them to earn a sustainable salary that will improve their life quality and aid in their recovery process through art therapy.
JABANA was recognized as the Most Innovative Solution by BESTSELLER Foundation.
Green Roots
SDG 7
Reliable and Renewable Energy
Green Roots offers a unique investment and development proposition that brings together relevant stakeholders to deliver reliable, renewable and affordable power to public hospitals. They offer investors an attractive ROI, tax benefits, and carbon credits. Investment is spent on roof-based renewable power solutions and battery. Hospitals receive reliable uninterrupted power system and discounted electricity, freeing more budget for patient care, and most importantly, once the investor has recouped their investment, ownership of the rooftop asset. In parallel, the community receives training in renewable power system and greater awareness of energy consumption caution through energy performance wall at hospitals.
Green Roots was recognized as the Most Viable Solution by the UNLEASH Community, represented by Mireille Umutoni Sekamana.
TEXCYCLO
SDG 12
Circular Economy
To process more dead waste there needs an implementation of a better waste management value chain in Kenya. Waste collectors have a large amount of textile waste not being sold currently. By creating a production plant in Nairobi using the well-known and robust technology HTL, TEXCYCLO can turn low-value waste streams into high value resources. HTL stands for Hydro Thermal Liquefaction, which can dissolve biomass waste into low-carbon intensity fuels using heat, pressure, and water. The biomass waste will be transformed into two liquid forms: crude oil and TPA and ashes.
TEXCYCLO was recognized as the Most Scalable Solution by Chemonics International.
Nijia Roots
SDG 13 and SDG 15
Climate Action and Land Use
Nijia Roots is an organic pesticide made from cassava peels that will support Southeast Nigerian cassava farmers. This innovative approach addresses the issue of land degradation and low yield productivity caused by the overuse of synthetic pesticides. By utilizing a readily available by-product from their own farms, farmers can access an affordable and sustainable pest control option. “Nijia Roots” not only offers an environmentally friendly solution but also aims to restore soil health, improve crop yields, and support the economic stability of these smallholder farmers, marking a significant step towards sustainable farming practices in the region.
Guests
H.E. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda
(In collaboration with Hanga Pitchfest ’23)
Rt. Hon Prime Minister of the Republic of Rwanda, Dr. Edouard Ngirente
Hon. Paula Ingabire, Minister of ICT and Innovation of the Republic of Rwanda
Ms. Signe
Winding Albjerg,
Danish Ambassador to Rwanda with residence in Uganda
Mr. Lars
Løkke Rasmussen
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark (Online)
Mr. Achim
Steiner
Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
(In collaboration with Hanga Pitchfest ’23)
Mr. Mamadou
Dian Balde
Regional Director
UNHCR
Regional Director
UNHCR
Prof. Senait
Fisseha
Director of Global Programs
Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation
(In collaboration with Hanga Pitchfest ’23)
Julie Gichuru
Chief Public Affairs and Communications Officer
Mastercard Foundation
Albert Munyabugingo
CEO
Vuba Vuba
Solutions from previous Innovation Labs
PERMALUTION
“I met wonderful people during the Lab and came up with the idea for Permalution, a start-up focusing on fog and cloud water harvesting technology, tackling the world’s challenges in water access and drought.”
– Tatiana Estevez Carlucci,
UNLEASH Innovation Lab 2017,
Denmark
WHERING
“During the Lab, I was surrounded by people who were truly passionate about solving the challenge we focused on: sustainable fashion. My solution is the digital wardrobe app Whering, which allows you to manage your wardrobe from your device.“
– Bianca Rangecroft,
UNLEASH Innovation Lab 2019,
Shenzhen
TESTATHOME
“At Test At Home Pte. Ltd., we are now developing ‘Lollipop-like’ and ‘Chewing gum-like’ devices and technology to enable easier, convenient, cheaper, accessible, and home-based healthcare testing.”
– Vivek Manoharan,
UNLEASH Innovation Lab 2018,
Singapore
ONEDAY HEALTH
“OneDay Health launches sustainable health centers in remote Ugandan communities which previously had no access to quality healthcare. It is amazing how far both our team and OneDay Health had come during the Lab.”
– Nicolas Laing,
UNLEASH Innovation Lab 2017,
Denmark
