(i) Fusing technology and development.
Development Reality Institute is a Climate Change and Technology Innovation hub with a vision to mitigate and build society’s adaptive capacity to the effects of climate change. DRI achieves its mandate through capacity strengthening, policy analysis, knowledge management and programme interventions using cutting edge ICT solutions. DRI implements its activities in collarboration with a network of young professionals and other development partners. One of DRI’s key priorities is to promote sustainable socio-economic development and build the capacity of communities to transform livelihoods of the marginalized groups through participatory and innovative solutions. DRI believes that an integrated development approach is the most appropriate strategy to address the current needs of vulnerable communities in Africa.
(ii) Innovation and Leadership.
DRI pioneered a catalytic and innovative capacity building programme for youths to address the all time greatest challenge of climate change and environmental mismanagement in Africa. The innovative capacity building program harnesses the power of ICTs and new media through a Climate Change Virtual School programme, knowledge management, school based cool clubs, video conferencing and the documentaries. The project combines the communicative edge of new media and the Internet. This powerful combination guarantees project sustainability and graduates it from a simple episodic initiative, to a replicable futuristic innovation. The project also provides grants to pre-test innovations.
(iii) Our Projects range from climate change innovations to supporting young entrepreneurs focused to find the game changing solutions to worlds pressing challenges :
The Green Innovations HUB (GiHUB) – this is a Green Business Incubator and Accelerator, it runs Innovation competitions, supporting and creating a new generation of green entrepreneurs.
Cool Skools Challenge – Supporting and motivating young climate innovators to launch catalytic ideas and create sustainable businesses in response to climate change while in schools
SDGs.ORG.ZW – Sustainable Development Goals Virtual Learning Centre, SDGs Data Curation Centre, Mobile Applications. We are developing an Open data portal for development partners, academia, private sector and communities to strengthen their capacity in the field of development.
Smarter Harare Through Participatory E-Inclusion. A social justice project supporting the City of Harare through an Urban Observatory Lab, GIS optimized to enable the City authority to manage resources efficiently for the good of its residents.
Climate Change Virtual School - a dynamic e-learning platform offering a wide range of courses on sustainability and climate change
(iv) Recognition and Distinction.
DRI received seven international awards for innovation and creativity including the UN supported World Summit Award and Global Development Network - Japanese Award for the Most innovative development project over the past 5 years. Here is a short list of some of the awards.
• World Summit Youth Award 2010 (WSYA)
The Climate Change Virtual School was awarded the WSYA for best and most creative e-content addressing the MDG 7. The award was received on the sidelines of the UN Millennium Review Summit in New York, in September 2010. The WSYA selects and promotes best practice in e-Content.
• Stockholm Challenge 2010
DRI’s Climate Change Virtual School was selected as the Winner in the Environment Category of the Stockholm Challenge Award 2010. The Stockholm Challenge Award since 1994, has rewarded social entrepreneurs in the field of ICT. In 2010 there were, more than 290 projects submitted from 90 countries.
• Top ICT Young Innovator of the Year - 2010
DRI was awarded the Top ICT Young Innovator of the Year by the Ministry of Information Communication and Technology during the inaugural ICT Achieves Awards in December 2010. The award ceremony is a platform to acknowledge the effort of individuals and organizations who excelled, demonstrated innovation and have contributed meaningfully to the development of the nation through ICTs.
• Most Catalytic Disruptor 2011
African Capacity Building Foundation - Capacity Development Market Place
In 2011 February, DRI was selected as a potentially catalytic and innovative capacity building initiative in strengthening youth response to climate change by the African Capacity Building Foundation at its 20th anniversary celebrations in Rwanda. This recognition came with the major financial boost in supporting the activities.
• Japanese Award for the Most Innovative Development Project – 2012
The DRI project Strengthening Youth capacity in climate change mitigation and adaptation received the Japanese Award for the Most Innovative Development Project during the 13th Annual Conference held in Budapest, Hungary in June 2012, organized by the Global Development Network.
• Continuity Forum Award – American Business Council Foundation– 2013
DRI selected as the best innovation addressing climate change from the South
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