Template:
The challenge you observed: What gap or problem did you see?
Your motivation: Why did it matter to you personally?
Your goal: What positive change did you want to create?
Example (tailored to your work with youth & internships):
“I created this innovation because I saw so many talented young people in Somaliland struggling to find internships and employment after graduating. Despite their potential, they lacked access to opportunities, mentorship, and networks. This inspired me to design a youth-centered solution that not only connects young people with internships but also empowers them to co-create opportunities with private companies, NGOs, and government institutions. My goal is to bridge the gap between education and employment, so youth can unlock their potential and contribute meaningfully to their communities.”
Structure:
Activities: What exactly happens?
Who’s involved: Who benefits and who contributes?
Impact in action: What changes or outcomes are visible?
Example (tailored to your internship & youth empowerment focus):
“In practice, our innovation brings together youth, private companies, government institutions, and NGOs to co-create internship and skill-building opportunities. Over a five-day program, young people are matched with organizations, receive mentorship, and develop practical workplace skills. Companies benefit by accessing motivated interns, while youth gain real experience, networks, and confidence. We also track their progress and provide follow-up support to help them transition into long-term employment. What makes this innovation stand out is that it is youth-led — young people are not just participants, but co-designers of the opportunities they receive.”
Structure:
Early adoption: Who first embraced it?
Growth: How it expanded (word of mouth, partnerships, demand)?
Current reach: How many people/organizations have benefited?
Example (tailored to your youth internship initiative):
“Our innovation started with a small pilot where 85 youth were connected to organizations for internship opportunities over five days. The success stories quickly spread among students, universities, and companies, creating growing interest. As a result, more private companies and NGOs have joined the platform, and youth themselves are advocating for its expansion. What began as a local initiative is now spreading through partnerships with universities, community networks, and social media, making it a scalable model that can reach youth across Somaliland and beyond.”
Structure:
Initial design: How it started.
Feedback or challenges: What you learned along the way.
Modification: What you added/changed.
Benefit: How the changes made it stronger.
Example (tailored to your youth internship innovation):
“At first, our innovation focused mainly on linking young people with internship opportunities. But as we listened to both youth and host organizations, we realized that many interns needed soft skills training before entering the workplace. In response, we added pre-internship workshops on communication, teamwork, and employability. We also developed a monitoring system to track each intern’s progress and provide mentorship during and after their placement. These additions have made the program more holistic, ensuring that young people are not only placed in internships but also supported to succeed and transition into longer-term employment.
Structure:
Step 1: Who it’s for (youth, organizations, partners).
Step 2: How they can join/benefit.
Step 3: Simple next step (sign up, contact, apply, partner).
Example (for your internship innovation):
“If you’re a young person, you can join by applying through our internship matching platform and attending our pre-placement training sessions. If you’re a company, NGO, or government institution, you can partner with us by hosting interns and co-creating opportunities with youth. To get started, simply reach out to our team, register your interest, and we’ll guide you through the next steps
