The Digital Ambassador Program (DAP) is an ambitious initiative that mobilizes young women and men to transform their communities. Based on DOT’s unique youth-led model, DAP delivers double impact - the expansion of a digitally literate citizenry and the empowerment of youth as leaders of change. DAP is a multi-stakeholder initiative that brings together government, private sector and civil society partners in support of the delivery, scale and sustainability of the program. Results to date have demonstrated an increase in digital skills, access and use of digital technology and uptake of e-services. DAP has also improved livelihoods and household incomes, and increased the ability of young people in the program to design, test and launch innovative solutions to daily challenges. The initiative has addressed the unique barriers faced by women related to digital literacy, economic empowerment and decision-making. Women, including in rural areas, have increased their access and use of digital technology, while improving family incomes and enhancing inclusion in household decision-making. A program that has demonstrated results in Rwanda, DAP represents a global solution to digital inclusion and the gender digital divide.

https://w05.international.gc.ca/projectbrowser-banqueprojets/project-projet/details/D001963001

• Ghana
• Jordan
• Kenya
• Malawi
• Morocco
• Rwanda
• Senegal
• United Republic of Tanzania
• Zambia

• Youth
• Women
• The unemployed
• The poor
• Remote and rural communities

DAP is a replicable initiative that has already drawn interest from national and regional bodies.
DAP can be easily localized to scale to new communities and countries. The initiative is replicable anywhere where there is alignment and support from relevant government ministries, a network of government, private sector and civil society partners to offer technical and implementation support, a need for digital literacy and a population of underutilized, underserved youth. Replication is facilitated by the DOT model, which places youth at the center of the design and delivery of relevant training, and the formation of support networks. The model also relies on community partnerships that provide the infrastructure and learning spaces needed for program delivery. The DOT model is cost-effective and efficient, delivering digital skills, livelihoods and youth-led movements of community change. Already, DOT has adapted the initiative in Tanzania to meet the high demand for digital skills. DAP has also been featured in global networks such as UN-ITU EQUALS, a global partnership promoting gender equality in the digital age, GSMA and the World Economic Forum. As a member of the UN-ITU EQUALS initiative, DOT prepared a case study on DAP and an accompanying video, which has been shared among government, private sector and civil society members. At a recent GSMA event, DAP was also profiled as a best practice model to scale digital inclusion.

The sustainability of DAP is supported by investing in youth, particularly young women, and communities as agents of change. DAP places youth at the center in the design and delivery of training, and the formation of peer networks. DAP empowers youth through skills development, coaching, mentorship and collaboration opportunities that support them in their pursuit of learning and leadership opportunities, as well as the test, launch and pilot of social innovations that address everyday challenges. Peer networks are particularly critical for young women, representing safe spaces where they can access digital technology; and coaching and learning specific to their needs. The connections established and relationships grown within these networks; the sense of ownership and responsibility felt by individual members; and the access to additional opportunities helps to ensure the sustainability of DAP results. Sustainability of DAP is also supported by a broad network of partners. DAP is a multi-stakeholder initiative that has brought together the World Economic Forum, the Government of Rwanda, the Mozilla Foundation and GIZ. Following a successful Proof of Concept (PoC) phase funded by the Government of Canada, which also attracted financial support from Mozilla Foundation and GIZ, DAP has secured further funding from GIZ to sustain and grow DAP in Rwanda. Finally, sustainability is supported by alignment with national policy agendas. DAP is led by the Ministry of Technology (MITEC) in Rwanda and implemented by DOT. The partnership has ensured the alignment of DAP with the Government of Rwanda’s Digital Talent Policy, which sits within the Smart Rwanda Master Plan, a national ICT strategy. DOT continues to engage MITEC as a key strategic and technical partner to achieve the goal of government adoption of the program at a national scale.

This project offers the benefits from the opportunities that ICTs can offer to everyone, including the poorest and most vulnerable. It builds on the strength of engaging several stakeholders to built an inclusive information society. The program works on removing the gender barriers to digital literacy and promoting training opportunities powered by ICTs for women and girls. It also empowers local communities, especially those in rural and underserved areas, to tap into their innovative potential to apply ICTs for positive social and economic empowerment.