CivicAware: Civic Education & Literacy

Imagine a world where citizens are empowered with the knowledge and skills to participate in the governance of their communities, driving positive change and fostering social cohesion. Sadly, this vision remains a distant dream for millions of Nigerians, where over 20 million children lack access to quality literacy and civic education.

The impact of this problem is widespread, contributing to political apathy, weak democratic institutions, and social disunity. According to the World Values Survey, only 19% of Nigerians trust their government, the lowest among the 61 countries surveyed. In addition, Nigeria ranks 146th out of 167 countries on the Legatum Prosperity Index, which measures factors like governance and personal freedom, reflecting the country's weak democratic institutions and low social capital.

Furthermore, poor literacy among underserved communities exacerbates this problem, hindering citizens' ability to access and comprehend essential civic education resources. According to UNESCO, Nigeria has the highest number of out-of-school children globally, with over 20 million primary-school-aged children not in school. This challenge is particularly significant in the country's northern region, where the youth literacy rate is as low as 15%.

Several factors contribute to this problem, including:

• Limited access to flexible and accessible learning opportunities, especially in underserved communities.

• Inadequate focus on civic education in existing curricula, which prioritizes subjects like maths and science at the expense of citizenship and democracy.

• A lack of resources for teaching and learning about citizenship and democratic values, such as quality textbooks, trained educators, and engaging learning materials.

Introducing CivicAware Nigeria by the iAfrica Cloud School Foundation, a pioneering initiative set to redefine civic education and literacy for individuals of all ages in Nigeria. Our primary objective is to bridge the gap in civic education and understanding of citizenship responsibilities among Nigerians, targeting not only school-aged children but also adults who may have missed out on this essential knowledge.

CivicAware Nigeria is built on the premise of delivering engaging and relevant civic education and literacy programs to underserved communities using innovative teaching methods, accessible learning environments, and technology. We work in close collaboration with local partners, including the esteemed Standard Bearer School (SBS) in Lekki, Lagos, and the dedicated advocates at Empathy-Driven Women Initiative International (EDWIIN), to ensure a transformative and inclusive civic education and literacy program tailored to the Nigerian context.

Our approach involves leveraging alternative learning environments such as religious organizations and community spaces to provide flexible and accessible learning opportunities. We utilize laptops and projectors to facilitate pre-recorded lessons, created by our qualified educators, ensuring a consistent quality of education across diverse communities. Both students and teachers receive tailored workbooks to reinforce their learning objectives.

CivicAware Nigeria focuses on teaching essential topics relevant to Nigeria, such as the roles and responsibilities of government and citizens, understanding the rights and wrongs in society, fostering leadership skills, and promoting literacy for everyone. By providing civic education and literacy programs to Nigerians of all ages, we empower individuals to become active participants in their communities, working together to create a more inclusive, informed, and democratic society.

With CivicAware Nigeria, the iAfrica Cloud School Foundation is poised to ignite a paradigm shift in Nigeria's civic education and literacy landscape, unleashing a wave of opportunity for future generations. Together, we can shape a world where every Nigerian is empowered to contribute meaningfully to their community and nation.

CivicAware Nigeria serves individuals of all ages in underserved communities across Nigeria who lack civic education and understanding of citizenship responsibilities. The solution aims is to address the challenge of limited access to formal education, a lack of awareness of rights and responsibilities, and socio-cultural barriers to participation in civic life faced by these communities.

Through engaging educational content, accessible learning environments, and collaborative efforts with local leaders, religious organizations, and educational institutions, CivicAware Nigeria empowers learners and promotes responsible citizenship and active participation in the democratic processes. The solution also benefits the broader community by creating a more inclusive and informed society.

CivicAware Nigeria's impact goes beyond the scope of individual learners and communities, laying the groundwork for lasting change. As civic education becomes more widespread and accessible, it will contribute to a more engaged and responsible population, paving the way for a brighter future for Nigeria as a whole. The solution stands as a testament to the power of education and collaboration, fueling hope and prosperity for generations to come.

The iAfrica Cloud School Foundation is uniquely positioned to deliver our CivicAware Nigeria project to Nigeria's underserved communities, thanks to our extraordinary team of dedicated and experienced leaders who share an unwavering commitment to empowering the nation's citizens through civic education. Our team brings a wealth of expertise in education, technology, community engagement, and social development, as well as a strong connection to the communities we serve.

At the helm of CivicAware Nigeria is our team lead, Mrs Modupe Adeyinka-Oni, an experienced educator and social entrepreneur with a deep understanding of civic education's transformative power. Our team lead has worked with underserved communities across Nigeria and is committed to ensuring that every Nigerian has access to high-quality civic education.

We engage with local communities, listen to their input, ideas, and agendas, ensuring that the design and implementation of our solution are guided by their needs and aspirations. We collaborate with local leaders, educational institutions, and other stakeholders to build trust, foster collaboration, and facilitate the successful delivery of our civic education programs to the individuals who need it most.

Our culturally responsive approach allows us to build relationships with local communities, ensuring that our program is tailored to their specific needs and contexts. We leverage technology, innovative teaching methods, and alternative learning environments to deliver high-quality civic education to underserved communities, providing them with the necessary resources, knowledge, and support to appreciate the transformative power of civic education.

With our team's deep roots in the communities we serve, extensive experience in education and development, and a shared passion for transforming lives through civic education, CivicAware Nigeria is poised to make an indelible impact on the future of Nigeria's society. Together, we will usher in a new era of hope, opportunity, and empowerment for the nation's citizens.

By applying to Solve, we aim to overcome several challenges and accelerate the impact of our CivicAware Nigeria project, transforming the lives of thousands of underserved children and youth in Nigeria.

• Scaling the CivicAware Nigeria project: Solve's network of global changemakers, edupreneurs, and educational experts will provide invaluable insights, connections, and support to help us identify successful pilots and projects. By learning from these models, we can effectively scale our project to reach more communities and create a profound, lasting impact on Nigeria's youth and their understanding of civic responsibility.

• Accessing modern learning facilities and resources: Joining Solve will enable us to explore innovative, low-cost educational facilities, materials, and resources designed for remote areas with limited access to civic education. By connecting with engineering resources and experts, we can create customized learning environments and materials that adapt to local contexts and enhance the educational experience for our target population.

• Enhancing tutor and facilitator training: Solve's connections with experienced trainers and educational professionals will offer opportunities to partner with or license pioneering training methodologies for civic education facilitators. This collaboration will enrich our program and empower our tutors to deliver high-quality instruction that inspires and nurtures young citizens.

• Securing resources for civic education materials and tech-enabled learning devices: As we improve our investment readiness, we hope to tap into global funds and non-monetary support to fulfil our ambitious goal of increasing civic awareness among Nigeria's youth. By providing essential educational materials and integrating technology into our program, we can engage and support children and youth throughout their learning journey.

Solve's unique platform offers an unparalleled opportunity for CivicAware Nigeria to forge partnerships, exchange knowledge, and gain access to valuable resources that will significantly advance our mission. With Solve's support, we are confident that our project will become a powerful force for change, offering hope and opportunity to Nigeria's youth and fostering a generation of informed, responsible citizens.

The iAfrica Cloud School Foundation's solution is a trailblazing approach to addressing the educational gap in Nigeria, using cutting-edge digital technology to empower children from all backgrounds and locations with the gifts of civic and literacy education. Our  solution is built on a powerful partnership between the esteemed Standard Bearer School (SBS) in Lekki, Lagos, and the dedicated advocates at Empathy-Driven Women Initiative International (EDWIIN).

Our digital academic platform transcends barriers of age, location, and status, providing learner-friendly, accessible education to all children, regardless of their native language or prior exposure to English. Through pre-recorded weekly classroom lessons from SBS in Lagos, we ensure that the quality of education remains consistently high for every child we reach.

Our comprehensive approach includes equipping communities with laptops and projectors, providing digital training for teachers, and supplying students and teachers with essential workbooks. With a focus on fostering basic civic and literacy skills that pave the way for future success, our solution is transformative for the children we serve and the communities in which they live.

Furthermore, by incorporating civic education into our curriculum, we are creating a generation of informed and engaged citizens who will actively participate in the democratic processes and work towards a more inclusive and prosperous society. This has the potential to create a significant shift in the market, as more organizations recognize the importance of providing both literacy and civic education to children in underserved communities.

The ripple effect of our innovative solution has the potential to reshape the educational and democratic landscape in Nigeria, bringing more children off the streets and into an engaging, supportive learning environment. This transformation will create employment opportunities for tech-savvy and professional early childhood educators, who will in turn experience the satisfaction of witnessing their pupils embrace a brighter, learning-driven future. By fostering a culture of education and reducing delinquency and truancy, our solution contributes to a significant decrease in social issues and the creation of a more vibrant, prosperous society for all.

Impact goals are concise statements of the specific external impact you wish to create through your solution. Your impact goals are what orient all aspects of your work. We look for solutions that will have a transformational impact on people’s lives. Use this space to describe your impact goals and how you plan to achieve them.

Maximum 500 words

In the coming year, the CivicAware Nigeria project aims to achieve the following impact goals:

• Train 500 civic education tutors in innovative teaching methodologies.

• Reach 50 underserved communities with our civic education program.

• Empower 10,000 children and youth from underserved communities with a strong understanding of civic responsibility.

• Raise awareness among parents of over 1000 out-of-school children on the value of civic education.

• Provide 100 children with essential learning materials and tech-enabled devices.

• Enroll a minimum of 100 out-of-school youths in our civic education program.

Over the next five years, our ambitious objectives are to:

• Train 5000 civic education tutors in innovative teaching methodologies.

• Scale our program to reach 500 underserved communities across Nigeria.

• Empower 250,000 children and youth with a strong understanding of civic responsibility.

• Educate parents of 5,000 out-of-school children on the life-changing value of civic education.

• Enroll at least 30,000 beneficiaries- children, youths, and unlearned adults- from underserved communities in our civic education program.

To achieve these goals, we will work closely with local communities, leaders, and schools to ensure our program meets the needs of the target population. We will employ innovative teaching methodologies and technologies to make civic education more engaging, interactive, and accessible. We will collaborate with like-minded organizations and stakeholders to scale our impact and create lasting change in the civic education space. By empowering children and youth with a strong sense of civic responsibility, we aim to create a generation of informed, engaged, and responsible citizens who can contribute to the development of Nigeria and beyond.

To accurately assess our progress toward our impact goals, we will meticulously track our achievements using the following Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), which will provide a comprehensive picture of the effectiveness of our intervention:

• Number of schools supported with literacy and civic education programs: We will closely monitor the number of schools that benefit from our civic education program, ensuring that we are reaching our targets and expanding our impact.

• Teacher training enrollment and completion: By tracking the number of teachers enrolled in our training program and the percentage that successfully complete it, we can gauge the success of our teacher education initiative.

• Child enrollment in the literacy and civic education intervention project: Documenting the total number of children participating in our literacy project will help us measure our outreach and determine the extent of our impact on young learners. Additionally, tracking the progress of these children's civic education will also be a key indicator of our success.

• Out-of-school children enrolled and retained: We will monitor the number of out-of-school children enrolled in the literacy and civic educational programs and the percentage that successfully remain in school, reflecting our success in fostering long-term educational opportunities for vulnerable youth.

• Improvement in literacy and cognitive abilities: By assessing the percentage improvement in reading, writing, and cognitive abilities among enrolled children, we can evaluate the effectiveness of our teaching methodologies and educational materials, continually refining and adapting our approach for optimal results.

• Improvement in civic engagement and knowledge: By assessing the percentage improvement in civic engagement and knowledge among enrolled children, we can evaluate the effectiveness of our teaching methodologies and educational materials, continually refining and adapting our approach for optimal results

These carefully chosen KPIs will enable us to measure our progress, adapt our strategies, and demonstrate our impact to stakeholders and partners.

Our theory of change is based on the belief that by providing children and youth with a strong understanding of civic responsibility and engagement andlongside literacy skills, we can create a generation of informed, engaged, and responsible citizens who can contribute to the development of Nigeria and beyond.

Our theory of change is supported by several pieces of evidence underscoring the transformative potential of civic education in Nigeria. Research from the Brookings Institution indicates that civic education can play a critical role in promoting peaceful democratic governance, reducing social conflict, and building strong, resilient communities. In a 2017 report, the National Democratic Institute found that civic education is particularly essential in fragile states, where the development of civic literacy can promote a more informed and engaged citizenry, helping to reduce political instability and promote social cohesion.

Our approach is also based on established best practices in early childhood education, which research has shown to be a critical period for cognitive and emotional development. For example, studies from UNESCO have shown that investing in early childhood education has significant positive impacts on social mobility, economic growth, and poverty reduction.

We believe that by empowering educators and communities with the tools and knowledge they need to deliver high-quality civic education, we can create a transformative impact on Nigeria's educational landscape. Our innovative, technology-enabled approach is backed by the latest research and tailored to the unique needs of underserved communities, ensuring that our program is effective and sustainable.

A. Activities & Input

Teacher Training

a. Train 500 civic education tutors in innovative teaching methodologies.

Learning Infrastructure

a. Reach 50 underserved communities with our civic education program.

Parental Engagement

a. Raise awareness among parents of over 1000 out-of-school children on the value of civic education.

B. Outputs

• 500 civic education tutors trained.

• 50 underserved communities reached with our civic education program.

• 1000 parents educated on the value of civic education.

C. Short-term Outcomes

• Increased civic knowledge and engagement among children and youth.

• Enhanced perception of civic responsibility among pupils and parents.

• Increased access to high-quality civic education in underserved communities.

D. Long-term Outcomes

• Development of informed, engaged, and responsible citizens.

• Reduced political instability and social conflict.

• Sustainable economic growth through a more informed and engaged citizenry.

By tracking our progress through a range of indicators, including the number of trained tutors, communities reached, and parental engagement, we will monitor our success in achieving these outcomes and continue to refine and adapt our approach to maximize our impact. Through our innovative, research-backed approach, we are committed to creating lasting, transformative change in Nigeria's civic education landscape.

Our cutting-edge solution leverages a powerful fusion of diverse technologies to provide an accessible, comprehensive, and impactful educational experience for underserved communities. These technologies include:

1. Mobile Learning Solutions: Our approach harnesses the power of smartphones to bring digital education within reach of tutors, facilitators, and students. This technology empowers educators with the tools to deliver immersive and engaging lessons while allowing students to interact with the content seamlessly.

1. Cloud-based Educational Resources: Our platform utilizes cloud technology to store, manage, and distribute educational materials to remote locations, ensuring that resources are always up-to-date and readily available for educators and learners.

1. Interactive Learning Technologies: By employing laptops and projectors, our trainers can access and display educational content on a larger scale, enabling all students in the classroom to actively participate. This promotes a collaborative learning environment that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

1. Data Analytics and AI-Driven Insights: Our solution incorporates data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor student performance, identify trends, and generate personalized learning experiences. By analyzing student data, our platform can tailor educational content to the specific needs of each learner, ensuring that every child receives the support they need to succeed.

1. Blending Traditional and Modern Teaching Techniques: While leveraging cutting-edge technologies, our solution also embraces traditional, ancestral, and natural teaching methods to provide a well-rounded, holistic educational experience. This unique combination equips students with the essential knowledge and skills to excel in a rapidly changing world.

Together, these technologies create a powerful, inspiring, and transformative learning experience that empowers underserved communities to overcome educational barriers and unlock their full potential.

At the core of the CivicAware Nigeria project is a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity. We believe that education is a fundamental human right, and we are dedicated to ensuring that every child in Nigeria has access to a high-quality civic education that reflects their unique background and experiences. Our approach to incorporating these principles into our work includes the following key elements:

• Diverse Team: Our team comprises individuals from diverse backgrounds, reflecting the broad range of experiences and perspectives of the communities we serve. We believe that a diverse team brings a wealth of ideas, skills, and perspectives that enhance our work and make it more effective.

• Inclusive Program Design: Our program is designed to be inclusive and accessible to all learners, regardless of their background or abilities. We prioritize the needs of marginalized groups, including girls, children with disabilities, and children from low-income households, to ensure that they have equal access to quality civic education.

• Gender Equity: We prioritize gender equity in our program, ensuring that all girls, teenage brides inclusive and young women have equal access to education and leadership opportunities. We actively recruit and train female facilitators and tutors to serve as role models and mentors for young girls, helping to break down gender stereotypes and encourage girls to pursue their dreams.

• Culturally Relevant Curriculum: Our program content is designed to be culturally relevant and responsive to the needs of the communities we serve. We work closely with local leaders, educators, and parents to ensure that our program content reflects local customs, traditions, and values, promoting a sense of pride and ownership among learners.

• Inclusive Teaching Methodologies: We employ teaching methodologies that are inclusive and accessible to all learners, regardless of their learning style or abilities. Our program incorporates a range of teaching techniques, including visual aids, interactive games, and group discussions, to promote engagement, creativity, and critical thinking.

• Capacity Building for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: We invest in capacity building for our team and partners to develop their understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles and their ability to apply them in their work. This includes workshops, training, and other resources designed to raise awareness and foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

• Setting Measurable Goals and Monitoring Progress: To hold ourselves accountable, we establish clear diversity, equity, and inclusion goals, and we regularly monitor our progress against these targets. This data-driven approach allows us to identify areas for improvement and refine our strategies, accordingly, ensuring that we continually enhance our impact and promote a more inclusive learning environment for all.

By integrating these principles into every aspect of our work, we aim to create a world in which every child in Nigeria has access to a high-quality civic education that empowers them to become informed, engaged, and responsible citizens.

Our business model revolves around creating transformative social impact while generating sustainable revenue. Our key stakeholders include donors, grantors, government agencies, and organizations that prioritize social impact, while our direct beneficiaries are the underserved and out-of-school children in Nigeria, and the participating schools and their communities.

We provide value to our stakeholders by addressing the critical need for accessible, quality education in their communities, ultimately leading to increased literacy rates, reduced child delinquency, enhanced job satisfaction among educators, and improved economic growth and prosperity. These outcomes align with our stakeholders' social impact goals and create opportunities for continued collaboration and investment.

Our core services comprise the following:

1. Innovative curriculum development: We create learner-centered, culturally relevant educational content that equips children with essential literacy skills and civic education.

2. Training of early childhood educators and tutors: We deliver comprehensive, cutting-edge training programs that empower educators with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to provide engaging and effective instruction in diverse learning environments.

3. Technology integration: We harness the power of digital tools and platforms to enhance the learning experience and extend our reach to remote communities. This includes live-streamed classes, smartphone-based learning applications, and the provision of laptops and projectors for educational settings.

4. Community engagement and advocacy: We work closely with local communities to build awareness and support for the importance of education, fostering a culture that values learning and promotes equitable access for all children.

Our revenue generation strategies encompass diverse funding sources, ensuring our long-term sustainability and growth. These include:

1. Grants and donations from philanthropic organizations, foundations, and individuals who share our vision for a more equitable, inclusive education system.

2. Government contracts and partnerships that allow us to expand our services and influence policymaking to create systemic change.

3. Corporate sponsorships and CSR initiatives with socially responsible businesses that align with our mission and values.

4. Fee-for-service arrangements, such as curriculum licensing, professional development workshops, and consulting services, which offer additional sources of revenue and create opportunities for scaling our impact.

Our business model is designed to generate social impact and sustainable revenue by addressing the urgent need for quality education in Nigeria's most vulnerable communities. By doing so, we contribute to a brighter future for the nation's children and help lay the foundation for long-term social and economic progress.

To achieve long-term financial sustainability, we have developed a multi-faceted plan that combines various revenue streams, ensuring continued support and expansion of our mission to revolutionize early childhood education in underserved communities. Our approach includes

1. Intellectual property licensing: We will develop innovative educational materials, curricula, and methodologies that can be licensed to schools, communities, and governments. By creating sought-after intellectual properties, we establish a continuous source of revenue that enables us to further invest in our core initiatives.

2. Strategic partnerships: We will actively collaborate with educational organizations and stakeholders in the education sector, leveraging our expertise and proven solutions to generate income through joint projects, collaborations, and sponsorship opportunities.

3. Consultancy services: As leaders in the field of early childhood education and community engagement, we will offer consulting services to organizations and schools that want to adopt our methodologies and replicate our strategies, creating a valuable source of revenue while fostering the broader adoption of our impact-driven approach.

4. Professional development training: We will provide comprehensive training programs for early childhood educators and staff, generating income while enhancing the overall quality of education in the communities we serve.

5. Grants and philanthropy: We will actively pursue funding opportunities from impact-oriented organizations that share our commitment to the education sector and early childhood development. These grants will support our ongoing initiatives and help us drive systemic change in the communities we serve.

6. Donations and sponsorships: By cultivating relationships with individuals and businesses who are passionate about early childhood education and reducing the number of out-of-school children, we will secure additional funding to support our mission and expand our reach.

By diversifying our revenue streams and continuously seeking innovative ways to generate income and reduce cost, we will achieve financial stability, enabling us to fully commit to our mission and drive lasting, transformative change in the field of early childhood education. This robust, adaptable financial plan not only ensures our ongoing success but also allows us to maximize our positive impact on the lives of countless children and their communities.

Since the inception of our project, we have experienced numerous successes in our quest for financial sustainability. Some of these milestones include:

1. Collaboration with Standard Bearers School: Our strategic partnership with Standard Bearers School not only provided us with office space and access to essential administrative resources but also connected us with skilled teachers who volunteered to create learning content and train our early childhood educators. This collaboration significantly reduced our operational costs and expanded our educational capacity.

1. Training program income: Our professional development training programs for early childhood educators and staff have attracted over 100 participants, generating in revenue. This not only supports our financial sustainability but also contributes to our mission by improving the overall quality of education in the communities we serve.

1. Fundraising campaign: We recently launched a crowdfunding campaign. We envisage This successful campaign reflects the strong support and enthusiasm from our community and donor base, underscoring their belief in our mission and its potential for transformative impact.

These achievements demonstrate our ability to secure diverse sources of funding and our commitment to financial sustainability. As we continue to expand our impact, we will leverage these successes and the valuable lessons learned to further strengthen our financial position, enabling us to deliver on our promise to revolutionize early childhood education and change the lives of thousands of children in underserved communities.