Following is a brief introduction to the structure and dynamics behind Educat as an organization, and to the different strategies that pave the way for Educat’s work.
The Educat Organization
Educat is built on the idea and vision of two students, Andreas Nørlem and Lucas Christensen, from the Kaospilots. The idea took shape in 2007, and was formalized as the organization Educat in 2008 after Andreas had taken the project idea in his hands.
Educat achieved local anchoring when Educat in May 2009 was registered as an International NGO in Rwanda, where it now has its offices, in Rwanda’s capital Kigali.
Andreas is the acting Executive Director of Educat Rwanda as well as for the Educat organization. He is guided by Educat’s Board of Directors who supports him and the rest of the Educat organization in strategic issues.
In Denmark, Educat is represented by Team Aarhus and a Team Copenhagen, together making up Educat Denmark.
Educat’s local and main Board of Directors
As with the rest of the Educat organization, many events are taking place in Educat’s governing structures. On Jan. 6 Team Aarhus strengthened its organizational structure as an independent local unit of Educat, by founding a local board of directors. The same will be the case for Team Copenhagen on Jan. 30.
The structural changes of Team Aarhus and Team Copenhagen together with the general status and development of Educat will be presented to the organization’s Board of Directors (BoD) at the general assembly on Jan. 31.
The main task of Educat’s Board of Directors is to offer its support when major decisions have to be taken concerning the organization’s strategy and structure. The members of the BoD have been selected to represent different areas of relevant knowledge and experience, and further to ensure representation of the Educat organization; i.e. a person who has experience as intern with Educat in Rwanda, and as the next step representatives from the local boards in Aarhus resp. Copenhagen.
Educat Rwanda
Since primo 2009, the size of the Educat Rwanda team has grown from a single person – Andreas – to five in spring 2009, Andreas and four ambitious girls all now part of the teams in Educat Denmark, and in the fall a full-fledged team of five staff members, a Program Coordinator, the Head of Studies, and the Executive Director.
The organization is continuously developing, and in the spring 2011 a new team of interns will be arriving in Kigali, together with the new Program Coordinator. In addition to this a new position as RILE Coordinator who will be responsible for developing and implementing the strategy of the RILE institution including Educat’s main educational programme.
Educat’s strategy
A key element to Educat’s mission and strategy is to change the way development work is currently taking place, through advocacy and through the organization’s projects and initiatives. Educat’s opinions are shared in Rwanda in the daily work with multiple partners from different sectors and layers of society.
In Denmark, the main focus and strategy of Team Aarhus and Team Copenhagen is to launch initiatives and create debates about e.g. how development work is taking place in Rwanda and in Africa in general, and to get inspiration for the work of the Educat organization, in Denmark and in Rwanda.
In Rwanda, the current key activity for Educat is the final development of Educat’s diploma program in Entrepreneurship, which will commence in April 2011. The Head of Studies, Dennis Dybdal, is focusing all his energy into finalizing the design and content of the diploma program. Team members in Rwanda are working on the structural and logistical circumstances concerning the diploma program.
A second major focus area currently receiving much attention is as in any young organization fundraising. The team in Rwanda is sustaining its focus on funding from the fall, and the Executive Director, Andreas, has prolonged his stay in Denmark to focus on securing the financial stability of the organization.
Currently, Educat is together with our partner organization YES-Rwanda conducting the Micro Enterprise Training (MET) programme (for more, consult the section ”The MET project” below). Things are going well, and everyone is enthusiastic about the process and outcome.
There is a general great demand for training programs in the Rwandan private and social sector; that is of e.g. micro entrepreneurs, trainers, teachers, executives.
As this lies within Educat’s area of competency and is in line with the Rwandan governments Vision 2020, this has become an important strategic focus area for Educat.
Educat’s focus
Educat’s focus
The REAL Platform
REAL is short for Rwandan Entrepreneurs And Leaders. The REAL Platform fosters entrepreneurial skills, attitudes and opportunities. It’s a training provider; a place of knowledge and experience transfer; and a support structure for Rwanda’s existing and future entrepreneurs and leaders. The REAL Platform supports the goals of Vision 2020 making the private sector the principle growth engine in Rwanda.
In Educat we believe positive change starts at the level of the individual. We believe that change-makers exist at all levels of society. And we believe that with the right training and education we can unleash the full development potential of Rwanda’s existing and future entrepreneurs and leaders. That’s why we are in Rwanda!
With time we hope that other organisations will join our efforts to make the REAL Platform the number one place for Rwanda’s existing and future entrepreneurs to look for support. We strongly believe in collaboration and always try to explore possible synergies between programs and partners. That’s why we call it the Rwandan Entrepreneurs and Leaders Platform.
Purpose
The purpose of the REAL Platform is to lift the business environment in Rwanda to further development by providing training to all levels in both the public and private sector. Growing businesses means economic development, employment opportunities and poverty reduction. The REAL Platform strives to create thriving entrepreneurs, leaders and change making individuals who dare to be curious and provocative, who question the established with new and innovative approaches and who are ambitious concerning their achievements - especially in relation to their own society. Four guiding principles inform all our work:
− We foster entrepreneurial skills, attitudes and opportunities.
− We believe that everybody can be agents of positive change.
− We cannot do it alone but only in close cooperation with partners and local communities.
− Profit is never our goal, financial sustainability and donor independence are.
Our core business is to offer training and education matching the needs of Rwandan entrepreneurs and leaders at all levels – both existing entrepreneurs and leaders and those of the future. Secondly we offer training of trainers working with entrepreneurship, business development and capacity building.
Our Services
The REAL Platform offers services catering for the needs of starting businesses to well established corporations; micro-entrepreneurs from the informal sector to experienced and successful business owners.
We always make a virtue of establishing respectful, result-oriented and cooperative environments in and around our various activities. We are advocates of an appreciative approach (also known from Appreciative Inquiry). That means that we understand the basis for development of entrepreneurs, leaders or organizations to be their own experiences and best practices; their ambitions and aspirations for the future.
Our services are delivered through highly action-oriented teaching methods bridging the gap between training and actual practice. We are convinced that most learning takes place through practical experiences and experimentation – ‘trial and error’ if you want. Our core activities are:
• REAL Entrepreneurship
Think entrepreneurial, promoting entrepreneurial culture, business start-up
Entrepreneurial Mindset, Generate Your Business Idea, Start Your Business
The REAL Platform offers a number of short-term training programs for micro-, small and medium sized entrepreneurs from both the formal and informal sector. Several of our training modules are adapted from proven programs developed by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Our training is supplemented with access to a mentorship network.
• REAL Business
How to manage and expand your business
Strategy, Innovation, Expand Your Business, Improve Your Business
We recognize that all organisations are different. Based on assessments and dialogues we design short and long term training modules catering for the specific needs of our clients. Our main expertise lies within the fields of innovation and creativity, strategy development, talent management, communication and entrepreneurial leadership. Human capital is considered essential in our approach to organizational development.
• REAL Leadership
Coaching, talent management, development of strong leaders
The REAL Platform offers a number of short-term training programs for micro-, small and medium sized entrepreneurs from both the formal and informal sector. Several of our training modules are adapted from proven programs developed by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Our training is supplemented with access to a mentorship network.
• REAL Training
Communication skills, training design, learning methodologies, coaching
The REAL Platform’s ‘training of trainer’ programs target public and private sector trainers particularly working with entrepreneurship, business development and organisational development. Our ‘training of trainers’ programs seek to make the participants stronger communicators, to equip them with coaching skills and to enable them to design their own training programs. Our training always builds upon existing knowledge and experience of the participants and pays special attention to the development of tools to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
• REAL Education
In the future the REAL Platform plans to establish a one year full time educational program strictly focusing on entrepreneurship and business design. The program will provide the skills and support needed to enable successful entrepreneurship. Besides the teaching the students will gain access to a supportive environment including an incubator, credit opportunities, coaching and mentoring.
REAL is short for Rwandan Entrepreneurs And Leaders. The REAL Platform fosters entrepreneurial skills, attitudes and opportunities. It’s a training provider; a place of knowledge and experience transfer; and a support structure for Rwanda’s existing and future entrepreneurs and leaders. The REAL Platform supports the goals of Vision 2020 making the private sector the principle growth engine in Rwanda.
In Educat we believe positive change starts at the level of the individual. We believe that change-makers exist at all levels of society. And we believe that with the right training and education we can unleash the full development potential of Rwanda’s existing and future entrepreneurs and leaders. That’s why we are in Rwanda!
With time we hope that other organisations will join our efforts to make the REAL Platform the number one place for Rwanda’s existing and future entrepreneurs to look for support. We strongly believe in collaboration and always try to explore possible synergies between programs and partners. That’s why we call it the Rwandan Entrepreneurs and Leaders Platform.
Purpose
The purpose of the REAL Platform is to lift the business environment in Rwanda to further development by providing training to all levels in both the public and private sector. Growing businesses means economic development, employment opportunities and poverty reduction. The REAL Platform strives to create thriving entrepreneurs, leaders and change making individuals who dare to be curious and provocative, who question the established with new and innovative approaches and who are ambitious concerning their achievements - especially in relation to their own society. Four guiding principles inform all our work:
− We foster entrepreneurial skills, attitudes and opportunities.
− We believe that everybody can be agents of positive change.
− We cannot do it alone but only in close cooperation with partners and local communities.
− Profit is never our goal, financial sustainability and donor independence are.
Our core business is to offer training and education matching the needs of Rwandan entrepreneurs and leaders at all levels – both existing entrepreneurs and leaders and those of the future. Secondly we offer training of trainers working with entrepreneurship, business development and capacity building.
Our Services
The REAL Platform offers services catering for the needs of starting businesses to well established corporations; micro-entrepreneurs from the informal sector to experienced and successful business owners.
We always make a virtue of establishing respectful, result-oriented and cooperative environments in and around our various activities. We are advocates of an appreciative approach (also known from Appreciative Inquiry). That means that we understand the basis for development of entrepreneurs, leaders or organizations to be their own experiences and best practices; their ambitions and aspirations for the future.
Our services are delivered through highly action-oriented teaching methods bridging the gap between training and actual practice. We are convinced that most learning takes place through practical experiences and experimentation – ‘trial and error’ if you want. Our core activities are:
• REAL Entrepreneurship
Think entrepreneurial, promoting entrepreneurial culture, business start-up
Entrepreneurial Mindset, Generate Your Business Idea, Start Your Business
The REAL Platform offers a number of short-term training programs for micro-, small and medium sized entrepreneurs from both the formal and informal sector. Several of our training modules are adapted from proven programs developed by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Our training is supplemented with access to a mentorship network.
• REAL Business
How to manage and expand your business
Strategy, Innovation, Expand Your Business, Improve Your Business
We recognize that all organisations are different. Based on assessments and dialogues we design short and long term training modules catering for the specific needs of our clients. Our main expertise lies within the fields of innovation and creativity, strategy development, talent management, communication and entrepreneurial leadership. Human capital is considered essential in our approach to organizational development.
• REAL Leadership
Coaching, talent management, development of strong leaders
The REAL Platform offers a number of short-term training programs for micro-, small and medium sized entrepreneurs from both the formal and informal sector. Several of our training modules are adapted from proven programs developed by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Our training is supplemented with access to a mentorship network.
• REAL Training
Communication skills, training design, learning methodologies, coaching
The REAL Platform’s ‘training of trainer’ programs target public and private sector trainers particularly working with entrepreneurship, business development and organisational development. Our ‘training of trainers’ programs seek to make the participants stronger communicators, to equip them with coaching skills and to enable them to design their own training programs. Our training always builds upon existing knowledge and experience of the participants and pays special attention to the development of tools to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
• REAL Education
In the future the REAL Platform plans to establish a one year full time educational program strictly focusing on entrepreneurship and business design. The program will provide the skills and support needed to enable successful entrepreneurship. Besides the teaching the students will gain access to a supportive environment including an incubator, credit opportunities, coaching and mentoring.
RILE - Rwanda Institute for Leadership and Entrepreneurship
Educat is establishing Rwanda Institute for Leadership and Entrepreneurship (RILE), a higher education institution and a regional center to promote, enable and conduct research on entrepreneurship, leadership and fourth sector development. The purpose is to enable significant economic growth and social change through entrepreneurship and leadership development.
The core activity of the institute is the two-year advanced diploma program, with focus on entrepreneurship and leadership. Additionally the institute encompasses a number of activities conducive to the core activity; short term entrepreneurship training, an entrepreneurship Hub, a virtual library and a knowledge bank, a job-desk linking job seekers to employers, and a creative think-tank to secure innovative research and development. This will be sustained with a portfolio of income generating activities, in order to secure low cost for users and high quality education and activities.
RILE will enable significant economic growth, but not through on-going aid and charity. RILE will be a business with the primary goal of generating income. However, all income generated will support the programs of RILE – a profit for benefit approach. Beneath, the main income generating activities are briefly described.
Conference facility:
RILE will provide executive conference facilities that will offer the newest technology within ICT. The largest facility will sustain more than 300 guests and the smaller ones, between 30-60 guests.
Café and catering:
RILE will provide catering to support conference related activities; Weddings, workshops, international conferences, concerts etc. Additionally, RILE will provide a modern and first class café and restaurant with an international cuisine.
Accommodation facilities:
RILE will provide 30 executive rooms and 6 small apartments to accommodate international/national business men and tourists.
Training and consultancy activities:
RILE will provide training within organizational development, business English, ICT, coaching and communication etc. to the professional elite of Rwanda, teachers, NGOs and government. More importantly, it will role out extensive training, targeting the informal sector of entrepreneurs throughout Rwanda. In collaboration with Rwandan NGOs, financial and government institutions ensure economic growth and formalization.
Entrepreneurship HUB:
RILE will provide office facilities to 20 start-up entrepreneurs. They will enjoy access to internet, budget support, legal advice, training etc. They will be encouraged to learn and inspire each other and establish a strong network.
Research Centre:
RILE will be the African HUB for research on African entrepreneurship and leadership. RILE will invite Rwandan, regional and international professors, PhD students and leaders to conduct research in collaboration with RILE. Whilst researching, they will enjoy free accommodation, transport and meals.
Virtual Library:
RILE will not have a traditional library, but an ICT based knowledge bank where you will be able to access information, literature, magazines etc. In general, RILE will be ICT based and will at all times offer the newest technology.
Job Desk service:
The job desk will link job seekers to available jobs on the market, both through a physical job desk and an online service, where they can submit CVs. Inspired by international recruitment companies; the job desk will also assist companies in finding qualified employees.
Micro-enterprise Training Project
The Micro-enterprise Training (MET) Project is being implemented by Educat in cooperation with Educat’s Rwandan partner organization YES-Rwanda (youth employment system) – www.yesrwanda.org.
The donor of the MET Project is the Danish government’s development agency Danida, through Projektrådgivningen. Read more here: www.prngo.dk.
The purpose of the MET project
The project offers a training programme which meets the needs of young entrepreneurs working in the informal sector in Rwanda. The training will help the micro-entrepreneurs to expand their businesses, get registered in the formal private sector, and get access to savings and credit services. In the long run, this will secure the livelihood of both the entrepreneurs and their family and other dependants.
The training programme is based on a baseline survey done among 1000 micro-entrepreneurs regarding their needs and availability.
The target group
The target group for the training programme is young people between 18 and 35 years old, who have a small non-registered one-man business, what we call micro-entrepreneurs. The MET project takes in different kinds of entrepreneurs, who for example sell vegetables and fruit, polish shoes or repair telephones. They will come to the YES-Rwanda office two times each week for a period of three months to receive training provided by YES-Rwanda trainers.
Focus areas
The training focuses on entrepreneurship rather than business management. This means that focus is on the mind of the individual entrepreneur, and with his/her potential and network. We enable the micro-entrepreneurs to be innovative and to grow their business through the competencies they already have. The training includes topics such as: innovation, finance, savings and credits, cooperative creation and networking.
The training is based on many practical exercises and interaction with the entrepreneurs. To each session there is also homework attached, which the micro-entrepreneur can take directly back to his or her business. In this way it is ensured that everything the micro-entrepreneurs are trained in is directly implementable for them to their own business.
The training will facilitate the micro-entrepreneurs in the process of growing their businesses by forming groups or cooperatives and become registered in the formal privates sector. Through follow-up with the micro-entrepreneurs, the MET-team ensures that they have the necessary resources to actually implement what they have been trained in.
Although just recently started, the MET project is already a success. The energy from the team and the participants during training is a witness of the output of the sessions, and is of great inspiration to us all – in general and for Educat in our striving to develop more training programs in the future.