Four Nigerians have been selected to join Facebook’s Community Accelerator, a six-month programme that aims to equip communities with the training, mentorship, and funding they need to grow.
They will be joined by two Kenyans and six South Africans for the programme which invests in leaders who are building communities around the world; including bringing people together, offering encouragement, and driving change.
Following the call for applications in March 2020, 77 community leaders from around the world were chosen, with 12 selected from Sub-Saharan Africa.
Awarding up to $3 million, selected community leaders will receive up to $30,000 in funding. In the first three months of the programme, these leaders will learn from experts and coaches, whilst developing customized curriculums focused on growing their own communities.
The following three months will then be focused on iterating and executing their plans, with funding and continued support from their network, as well as from a dedicated programme team.
Commenting, Kezia Anim-Addo, Head of Communications for Sub-Saharan Africa said: “We know community leaders can do amazing things when they have adequate support from others, tools to get the job done, funding to grow and belief in themselves.
“The Facebook Community Accelerator will enable these great communities to make an even greater positive impact in the world, and we hope that through the support of the programme these communities will have extraordinary impact, even in extraordinary times.”
Hauwa Ojeifo, She Writes Woman (Nigeria) – In 2016, Hauwa created “Safe Place Nigeria” to provide a stigma and judgment-free space for young people to talk about mental health related issues. It has become a community for young people to learn, feel connected, get support and feel a sense of belonging.
Tony Onuk, The Root Hub (Nigeria) – Roothub was started in 2014 to provide a safe space for youths to build their ideas, grow their businesses, and access support. It is providing work and meeting spaces in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State and the Niger Delta region.
Eyitayo Ogunmola, Utiva (Nigeria) – Utiva is a decentralized ecosystem that helps Nigerians access technology skills and trainings regardless of their location and internet barrier. It is helping people prepare and adapt to the future of work, especially with the new reality brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.
Abiodun Adereni, Helpmum (Nigeria) – started in 2017, HelpMum tackles maternal and infant mortality in remote rural areas in Nigeria, and provides Clean Birth Kits for hygienic delivery to pregnant women, immunization reminders and health information to nursing mothers.
