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SUMMARY:Climate Innovation Lab 2026
DTSTART:20260825T130000Z
DTEND:20260825T140000Z
DTSTAMP:20260827T064000Z
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 3–5 participants can 
 be formed to ensure complementary technical and domain expertise.\nWhat a 
 strong team combines\n\nClimate or domain knowledge Understanding of the c
 limate\, environmental\, community or institutional problem being addresse
 d.\nTechnical capability The ability to build or prototype the proposed so
 lution\, drawing on software development\, AI\, data science\, GIS\, Earth
  observation\, IoT or related technologies as needed.\nUser and problem un
 derstanding The ability to understand affected users and stakeholders\, in
 vestigate their needs\, and make sure the solution addresses a real proble
 m.\nSolution and product thinking The ability to turn a problem into a pra
 ctical solution: prioritising features\, testing assumptions\, iterating.\
 nAdoption and sustainability thinking A sense of how the solution could be
  implemented\, adopted\, supported and sustained beyond the Lab\n\nNo team
  needs all of this on day one!\nNo single participant is expected to bring
  every capability\, and a team doesn't need a dedicated person for each ar
 ea. The goal is a complementary mix\, enough domain\, technical and user-f
 acing capability to take a problem through:\nChallenge → user need → s
 olution → prototype → test → demonstration → roadmap\nFacilitators
  and specialist mentors help teams fill capability gaps during the Lab and
  through the mentorship period that follows.\nWhat we expect from teams\n\
 n\nWork collaboratively across disciplines.\n\n\nStay focused on a clearly
  defined climate-related problem.\n\n\nEngage directly with the users or s
 takeholders their solution is for.\n\n\nBuild and test a practical prototy
 pe or proof of concept.\n\n\nTake feedback well and iterate.\n\n\nDocument
  their work and what they learn along the way.\n\n\nPresent their solution
  with a realistic path for further development.\n\n\nKeep perfecting solut
 ions through the post-Lab mentorship programme.\n\n\n \nThe team owns the
  problem and the solution. Facilitators guide the process\; mentors bring 
 in specialist expertise where it's needed\nSelection Criteria\nThe program
 me welcomes applications from women across West and Central Africa who are
  passionate about climate action\, innovation\, and technology. Applicants
  should:\n\n\nBe female.\n\n\nBe affiliated with a university\, research i
 nstitution\, innovation hub\, government institution\, private sector orga
 nisation\, or STEM community.\n\n\nDemonstrate an interest in climate chan
 ge\, sustainability\, STEM\, innovation\, or emerging digital technologies
 .\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 dive
 rse disciplines are strongly encouraged to apply.\nApplication Deadline: S
 eptember 15\, 2026Selection Notification: September 21\, 2026\nThe selecti
 on process will ensure regional representation within WACREN and prioritis
 e inclusivity.\n\nhttps://indico.wacren.net/event/279/
LOCATION:Zoom
URL:https://indico.wacren.net/event/279/
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