Towards inclusive access to employment opportunities

Innovators collaborating together at a workshop

The Empowering Inclusion in Employment (EIIE) program aims to break down digital, institutional and societal barriers hindering persons with disabilities from equally accessing employment opportunities and corresponding information in Egypt. The program supports the creation and wide-scale adaptation of inclusive and accessible digital content, applications and devices for persons with disabilities. 

You can now apply to take part in the EIIE incubator to receive direct support to create accessible digital solutions that improve the access of persons with disabilities to employment, training and education opportunities and information.

15 accessible digital solutions for inclusive employment

A nationwide call for solutions is now open to entrepreneurs, startups, organizations, and businesses. Your solution should contribute to breaking down digital barriers for persons with disabilities, with the purpose of supporting the creation and adaptation of digital content in Egypt to ensure equal access to employment and skill development opportunities. Are you working on an accessible digital solution that can:

  • support existing employment and learning digital platforms in improving their accessibility
  • support the creation of inclusive platforms, tools and content for employment and learning?

This is the program for you to take your solution further and implement it on a wider scale.

For more information about the program’s eligibility criteria, targeted accessibility challenges, and recommended areas for innovation, please refer to the “Helpful documents” section below.

Apply now!

Applications are open until 26 May 2024. Before applying, please make sure to check out the program requirements and criteria below.

Key information

  • Duration

    01.04.2024 to 28.02.2025

  • Supporting

    15 entrepreneurs and organizations

  • Direct financial support

    500 Euros/month/team member

  • Locations

    Egypt

Objectives

Breaking down barriers to access that make employment information and opportunities hard to access through creation and wide-scale adaptation of inclusive and accessible digital content, applications and devices for persons with disabilities.

  • Targeted SDGs

    SDG Goal 8 - Decent work and economic growth SDG Goal 10 - Reduced inequalities SDG Goal 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

What type of support does the EIIE Incubator provide?

Financial support

of 500 Euros over 6 months per individual to assist with business expenses and skill development needs.

Training sessions

on business and personal growth, such as product design, development methodologies, user experience design, accessibility considerations, business development and market analysis

Access to work spaces

and amenities for your team for the duration of the incubator in Zamalek, Cairo

Dedicated mentoring

with local and international experts based on your team needs to provide strategic insights, guidance and feedback

Go-to-market support

with an opportunity to test and upscale your solution in the market following the training and mentoring period

Access to budget for services

of 3000 EUR for each team, allocated for the technical development of your Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

Global, cause-driven community

of people invested in creating an inclusive society for persons with disabilities, including academia, policy makers, entrepreneurs, experts, community initiatives and nonprofits, and industry experts

Demo Day

Pitch your idea in a dedicated Demo Day to an audience of potential partners, customers and investors 

Knowledge and resources

including studies, data and focus groups to support you with building and improving your solution

How does it work?

Have a look at the steps to find out what to expect from the application process and how to prepare. 

  • Review eligibility and selection criteria

    Download and carefully review the eligibility and selection criteria document to familiarize yourself with the program requirements. Prepare all documents/information in advance to make it easier for you to fill out the application form.

  • Sign up on SM Apply

    Follow the link to the application and create an account on SM Apply, our applications platform. Once you have an account, you will see the option to “Apply” for this track. If you need support with the platform or the application form, please feel free to reach out to shc@enpact.org.

  • Fill out your application

    Once you click on “Apply,” you will be asked to complete your application form.  Here, you can add more information on your solution, how it supports accessibility for persons with disabilities, and your motivation for joining the program. This is also when you will be asked to upload all relevant documents. The application should take around 15 minutes.

  • Join us for an online chat

    Your application is then reviewed by multiple experts from our team according to the four-eye principle. If your application is eligible, you will be invited to a 30-minute interview to talk more about your solution and how the program can support you.

  • Keep an eye on your e-mail!

    Following the interview, you will receive an e-mail with the next steps within three weeks. The e-mail will notify you if you are accepted, or share feedback in case we are unable to accommodate you in the program. Please make sure to also check the spam folder.

Who should apply?

We encourage you to apply if:

  • You are a recent graduate interested in starting a business: You have a clear business idea and an outline with how your proposed solution meets market demand, can be financially sustainable, and create long-term positive impact for persons with disabilities 
  • You have an established startup: You are a registered startup with a track record of developing innovative tech products or solutions 
  • You represent a business or company: You are an existing business or corporate that would like to diversify their operations and make their online portals or apps inclusive and accessible to persons with disabilities seeking employment 
  • You’re part of a community initiative: You have a registered non-profit organization or community-driven initiative actively working on projects related to employment, technology, disabilities, education

Which requirements does your team need to meet? 

To apply to the incubator, you will need to have a team of two to three people per solution, business or community initiative that: 

  • is gender-balanced or woman-led,
  • can demonstrate a strong technical foundation and ability to build technical solutions,
  • has a collaborative attitude and commitment to open knowledge sharing, 
  • has an entrepreneurial mindset and drive to build a business, and
  • is available to commit to developing and commercializing the solution.

All team members legally reside in Egypt and are entitled to gainful employment in Egypt.

While the participation of persons with disabilities in the teams is not a requirement, we highly encourage their active participation.

Your proposed solution should: 

  • reflect a creative approach and clear potential for long-term impact, 
  • be feasible, sustainable and scalable, and
  • demonstrate a clear understanding of and commitment to addressing the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in Egypt

Ready to apply?

If you have questions or need support with your application, please reach out to us at shc@enpact.org. Please note that this is the only official channel to receive a timely response within 24 hours.

Applications open until 26th of May 2024

Apply now

Helpful documents

We have put together a package of documents that provides further information to help you complete your application.

Challenges and criteria

 

This document outlines the program’s target group, the eligibility criteria, the targeted challenges and potential areas of innovation for your idea, and the evaluation criteria for your application. 

Download (1.91 MB PDF)

What happens next?

28 April 2024

Call for applications launch.

26 May 2024

Applications close. Selection process starts.

June 2024

Idea competition.

June to December 2024

Training and monthly financial support.

January to February 2025

Testing and adapting solutions.

February 2025

Graduation and closing event.

Learn more about the project

In addition to the incubator, the EIIE program also includes the development of resources to support making digital platforms more accessible for persons with disabilities. Find out how you can get involved as an expert or partner on the program’s overview page.

Learn more

Program partners

The Empowering Inclusion in Employment program is implemented by the nonprofit organisation enpact within the cooperation framework between the Ministry of Social Solidarity and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in Egypt, which implements on behalf of the German Government. The program is implemented as part of the Equal Opportunities and Social Development (EOSD) Project.