Preparing 100 youth for work – KwaZulu-Natal

Incubator of Dreamers is an 18-month initiative to empower 100 unemployed young people in and around the eThekwini Municipality in KwaZulu Natal with skills development, mentorship and training to prepare them for employment opportunities or establishing their own businesses, to inspire and enhance their community involvement, and to contribute towards local economic growth.

Bootcamps (facilitated by the Young Leaders Academy) give participants the opportunity to explore their capabilities and determine the support needed to achieve their goals. Participants develop their teamwork, communication and problem solving skills. The programme also includes intensive training in entrepreneurship and business planning, leadership, accounting and finance.

In partnership with the Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, youth engage with and learn from business owners in their fields of interest. Business plans that demonstrate potential are incubated and mentored at Innovate Durban, with financial support provided to further develop the prototypes.

The boot camp process culminates in participant placements, either in employment or further skills development opportunities.

Osizweni Community Centre

The Osizweni Community Development Project has been running for a number of years and is implemented in partnership with key government stakeholders in the City of Johannesburg, including the departments of Education, Social Development, Agriculture and Health.

At the Osizweni Community Centre, members of the community are able to access counselling services and support groups, education and training, nutrition through the community garden, and many more empowerment activities.