CFAs: The Africa CDC Bingwa Plus Initiative

The Bingwa PLUS is an offshoot of the African Union Bingwa Initiative that mobilized young health champions (Bingwas) to rally communities and boost vaccination uptake across Africa during COVID-19. It seeks to strengthen young health champions ability to design, resource, and manage impactful community health initiatives. Through this program, participants will gain the skills needed to address critical health needs in their communities, strengthen their leadership and capacities to develop and implement innovative, scalable solutions to public health challenges, and build structures that can support the continent in times of health crises.

They are looking for scalable community health initiatives that are youth-led, youth-driven, and youth-focused, with the potential to create lasting impact.

Benefits

• Capacity Building: Selected participants will join an online training program (Youth Hub Academy) designed to build their capacity in areas such as program design, concept note and proposal writing, monitoring and evaluation, project financial management, stakeholder engagement, resource mobilization, and more. Throughout the program, participants will refine and strengthen their ideas with guidance from experienced trainers.
• Pitching of innovations: Participants will have the opportunity to pitch their refined ideas to an evaluation committee. The most promising initiatives will be selected for financial implementation support.
• Follow-Up & Hand Holding Support throughout Implementation: Successful participants will receive grants to bring their projects to life, along with ongoing mentorship and guidance throughout the implementation process.
• Recognize, Celebrate and Showcase: Participants who demonstrate outstanding innovation and impact will be recognized and celebrated across Africa CDC, GIZ and Youth Hub Africa’s platforms, with additional visibility through various partnerships.
• Scale-Up Support and alumni induction: Africa CDC Youth Program and its partners (GIZ, Youth Hub Africa) will continue to support participants in scaling their initiatives by helping them identify and apply for further funding opportunities. Outstanding participants will also be inducted into an alumni network to foster continued collaboration and growth.

Eligibility Criteria

• To apply, applicants must meet the following criteria:
  • Citizens of AU member states
  • Aged 18-35
  • Public health enthusiasts with demonstrable leadership potential, experience in and passion for improving health outcomes within their communities.
  • Submission of a proposal demonstrating an excellent understanding of the health challenge to be addressed and proposing a clear, scalable solution to the challenge.
  • Available to be a part of a 4-month incubation program
  • Applicants from marginalized or disadvantaged backgrounds (gender, youth from rural areas, youth with disabilities, geographic balance, etc) are encouraged to apply.
  • Applicants with ideas related to current disease outbreaks and health emergencies, such as Mpox and Marburg, will be given a priority.

Application Requirements 

• Applicants are expected to fill the application form online and provide the following:
  • A reflection on their motivation to join the program and a reflection on their fit to the program.
  • A 300-word pitch on a health challenge they plan to solve and the intended solution they wish to pursue if chosen for the incubation program. Applicants with ideas related to Mpox and Marburg, will be given a priority.
  • A copy of their most recent curriculum vitae, no longer than three pages.
  • A recommendation letter written by an employer, volunteer supervisor or teacher/lecturer who can speak to their character, community engagement ability, leadership potential, and ability to implement complex projects.

For more information, visit Africa CDC.