Let's start with, Why?
Unemployment in Kenya has reached an alarming rate. Both fresh graduates and industry professionals are now thinking of entrepreneurship and self-employment. There is a steady rising number of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Kenya. This trend is also witnessed across Africa and slowly youth-led brands, private companies and organizations are emerging.
But we can all agree young entrepreneurs and business owners struggle to access valuable resources, comprehensive support and essential knowledge needed to nurture their ideas and businesses. This hinderance impedes the growth and potential impacts of youth-led organizations. That's where we come in. Palaver Africa aims to create a dynamic program that will not only equip youths with essential knowledge but also provide personal support and tools they need to turn their ideas to success.
Program Overview
The Nova Program is comprehensive suite of programs (Nova I,II & III) tailored to equip and empower aspiring entrepreneurs, young innovators and creatives. It offers a unique blend of online and physical spaces, practical tools, mentorship and community support to help youths bring their ideas to life. From personalized guidance to hands-on workshops and networking opportunities. Our goal is to help youths navigate the journey of starting and growing their own ventures.
NOVA I : MENTORSHIP
The Nova I program offers a systematic, detailed framework that will help you break down your dreams into manageable steps and practical strategies. With a mentor by your side, you'll learn how to utilize your strengths, set smart goals and step out of your comfort zone to experience significant growth. Rest assured, with proper guidance, resources and consistent support, you will be able to transform your dreams into reality with confidence and effectiveness.
How it works:
This is an immersive 100-day journey of self-discovery and growth. The core objective is to empower you by uncovering your unique strengths, identifying areas where you can improve, and strategically setting goals that align with your strengths and the opportunities around you. This entire process is carefully facilitated by a dedicated mentor who will provide personalized guidance and support.
The program unfolds in three distinct phases, each designed to build upon the insights gained from the previous phase:
DAY 1-30: SWOT-ANALYSIS
In the first phase, you will engage in deep introspection and assessment to gain a clear understanding of your strengths and areas where you can further develop. This phase sets the foundation by helping you establish a solid grasp of your current capabilities and potential areas for growth.
Highlights:
- Mentor-mentee Pairing - Mentors and mentees are paired based on their backgrounds, skills and goals using a unique matching algorithm
- Reflective Rubric - Mentees fill out detailed self-assessment rubric that focuses on analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT)
- Feedback Session - A one-on-one meeting between mentors and mentees to provide feedback and insights on the mentees' self-assessment, identifying key areas for development.
- Guidelines and Resources - Comprehensive guidelines and resources on effective mentoring and mentee engagement will be provided, including tools and platforms used for communication and tracking progress.
DAY 31-60: GOAL SETTING
Moving into the second phase, you will collaborate closely with your mentor to translate insights from the SWOT Analysis into actionable goals. Together, you will explore how to leverage your strengths effectively and navigate potential opportunities that align with your aspirations. This phase is pivotal in charting a course towards achieving personal and professional milestones that resonate with your innate abilities.
Highlights:
- Goal Identification - Mentees identify their long-term and short-term goals with the aid of their mentors
- Goal Alignment - Goals will be fine-tuned based on the mentors' input and professional standards, with reference to the SWOT analysis.
DAY 61-70: ACTION-PLANNING
In the final phase of Nova I, the focus shifts towards implementation and refinement. Here, you will actively work towards your defined goals while receiving ongoing guidance from your mentor. This phase encourages continuous reflection and adjustment as you progress, ensuring that you stay on course and maximize your potential throughout the journey.
Highlights:
- Developing a plan - Break down goals into actionable steps and milestones. Workshops and Masterclasses on creating detailed action plan to achieve set goals.
- Resource Identification - Identification of resources, tools and support needed to achieve goals. Mentors will assist in sourcing or recommending resources including industry contacts and professional network.
- Timeline Creation - Develop a detailed timeline with specific deadlines for each action step.
- Action Plan Review - Mentors will review and provide detailed feedback on the action plan and timeline.
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