The ILO is calling on individuals and organizations to share innovative ideas and solutions to address the skills mismatch challenge. The ILO Skills Challenge Innovation Call will recognise and support the development of solutions that aim to address the different forms and dimensions of skills mismatch.
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These can include proposals to:
- Enhance the effectiveness of vocational education and training programmes through innovative delivery and assessment partnerships;
- Improve the development and recognition of knowledge, skills and attributes of employees through innovative work-based learning initiatives;
- Empower enterprises to better utilise the skills of their workers;
- Improve the collection, analysis, management and use of data and information on skill needs and labour market trends;
- Improve the training and employment of under-represented groups including migrant and refugees, people with disabilities, young people and women;
- Improve the provision of active labour market programmes through the integrated provision of vocational and job search assistance, training and work placement for the unemployed; and
- To establish new and innovative multi-stakeholder partnerships to address skills mismatch at the regional, sectoral or local levels.
Location:
SwitzerlandBenefits
The winning entry will receive substantial support comprised on the following:
- Financial support: The winner will receive a $50,000 grant to implement the proposed solution;
- Six-month innovation lab: The winner will receive technical support to transform the idea into a prototype ready to be piloted, including through boot camps and remote mentoring via a virtual platform;
- Worldwide visibility: The winner will receive support through awareness-raising of the idea and solution, including an invitation to a global event to present the innovation concept to potential partners and sponsors, press articles in media channels, videos, among others;
- Extended network and partnerships: The winner and shortlisted entries will join the ILO’s Global Network of Skills Innovators. They will have the opportunity to exchange with other innovators and share their solutions with ILO’s stakeholders.
Moreover, the best 10 ideas will be invited to join the ILO Skills Innovators Network.
Eligibilities
- This application is open to individuals or formally constituted organizations that must have existed for at least two years before April 13, 2020.
- The organizations can include cooperatives, educational institutions, government agencies, NGOs, Civil Society, regional and sectoral bodies, public and private enterprises, and research institutions.
- The above bodies or individuals can present ideas and solutions at any development stage.
- The idea can also be at an early stage or a more mature innovation. Also, it can belong to one person or to different groups of people such as governments, employers and workers’ organizations.
In addition to the aforementioned, the proposal must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:
- The solution answers one or more of the questions of the challenge listed in section 1;
- The proposed solution responds to a clear need;
- The proposed solution has the support and commitment of key stakeholders;
- Applicants are available and able to commence the Innovation Lab phase from September 2020.
Application Process
To submit your idea or solution, applicants should:
- Go to the Skills Challenge Innovation Call webpage ;
- Revise the eligibility criteria and terms and conditions of the competition;
- Develop the proposal and secure support from partners;
- Complete the form available on the website;
- Send the completed form and supporting documents to [email protected] by 30 April 2020 (midnight, Geneva time).
Applications and supporting documents can be submitted in English, French, and Spanish. There is no fee to participate in the Call. Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their application has been received. Incomplete or late responses will not be considered.
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Application Deadline: April 30, 2020
Application ClosedOfficial link
