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SUMMARY:Climate Innovation Lab 2026
DTSTART:20260825T130000Z
DTEND:20260825T140000Z
DTSTAMP:20260908T061500Z
UID:indico-event-279@indico.wacren.net
CONTACT:wiw@wacren.net\;+233 501100457
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Amina Ramallan (WACREN)\, Abigail Essel\n\n\nWomen-I
 n-WACREN (WiW) is hereby calling for applications from women in STEM acros
 s West and Central Africa for its Climate Innovation Lab 2026\, a structu
 red innovation programme that combines a virtual network of women in STEM\
 , an intensive in-person Climate Innovation Lab\, and a post-lab mentorshi
 p programme.\nThe programme aims to strengthen the capacity of women in ST
 EM across West and Central Africa to collaboratively design and develop in
 novative digital solutions that address climate change adaptation and miti
 gation challenges within their communities and institutions.\nTeam Formati
 on\nApplicants may apply individually or as part of an existing team. Wher
 e appropriate\, multidisciplinary teams comprising max of 3 participants c
 an be formed to ensure complementary technical and domain expertise.\nWhat
  a strong team combines\n\nClimate or domain knowledge Understanding of th
 e climate\, environmental\, community or institutional problem being addre
 ssed.\nTechnical capability The ability to build or prototype the proposed
  solution\, drawing on software development\, AI\, data science\, GIS\, Ea
 rth observation\, IoT or related technologies as needed.\nUser and problem
  understanding The ability to understand affected users and stakeholders\,
  investigate their needs\, and make sure the solution addresses a real pro
 blem.\nSolution and product thinking The ability to turn a problem into a 
 practical solution: prioritising features\, testing assumptions\, iteratin
 g.\nAdoption and sustainability thinking A sense of how the solution could
  be implemented\, adopted\, supported and sustained beyond the Lab\n\nNo t
 eam needs all of this on day one!\nNo single participant is expected to br
 ing every capability\, and a team doesn't need a dedicated person for each
  area. The goal is a complementary mix\, enough domain\, technical and use
 r-facing capability to take a problem through:\nChallenge → user need 
 → solution → prototype → test → demonstration → roadmap\nFacilit
 ators and specialist mentors help teams fill capability gaps during the La
 b and through the mentorship period that follows.\nWhat we expect from tea
 ms\n\n\nWork collaboratively across disciplines.\n\n\nStay focused on a cl
 early defined climate-related problem.\n\n\nEngage directly with the users
  or stakeholders their solution is for.\n\n\nBuild and test a practical pr
 ototype or proof of concept.\n\n\nTake feedback well and iterate.\n\n\nDoc
 ument their work and what they learn along the way.\n\n\nPresent their sol
 ution with a realistic path for further development.\n\n\nKeep perfecting 
 solutions through the post-Lab mentorship programme.\n\n\n \nThe team own
 s the problem and the solution. Facilitators guide the process\; mentors b
 ring in specialist expertise where it's needed\nSelection Criteria\nThe pr
 ogramme welcomes applications from women across West and Central Africa wh
 o are passionate about climate action\, innovation\, and technology. Appli
 cants should:\n\n\nBe female.\n\n\nBe affiliated with a university\, resea
 rch institution\, innovation hub\, government institution\, private sector
  organisation\, or STEM community.\n\n\nDemonstrate an interest in climate
  change\, sustainability\, STEM\, innovation\, or emerging digital technol
 ogies.\n\n\nCommit to actively participating in ALL WiW Network activities
 .\n\n\nBe willing to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.\
 n\n\n \nApplicants do not need to be software developers\, and women from
  diverse disciplines are strongly encouraged to apply.\nApplication Deadli
 ne: September 15\, 2026Selection Notification: September 21\, 2026\nThe se
 lection process will ensure regional representation within WACREN and prio
 ritise inclusivity.\n\nhttps://indico.wacren.net/event/279/
LOCATION:Zoom
URL:https://indico.wacren.net/event/279/
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