UNDP Digital for Youth-Led Enterprise 2025 (Fully Funded)

Published: 20 Oct 2025

Call for Applications - Digital for Youth-Led Enterprise: A Design Thinking Sprint for Young Innovators in Nigeria

The Digital for Youth-Led Enterprise programme is a national 5-day in-person design thinking sprint taking place in Abuja, Nigeria, from 10–14 November 2025. 

It will bring together 30 young Nigerians (aged 18–35) from across Nigeria, who are passionate about applying digital innovation to address real-world challenges in Agriculture, Health, and Education - three national priority sectors in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Over five immersive days, participants will work in small teams to identify problems, ideate solutions, and build prototype digital products or services that contribute to job creation, GDP growth, and social inclusion. 

Programme Objectives 

• Strengthen the capacity of youth to use design thinking and digital innovation to solve sector challenges. 
• Inspire youth-led entrepreneurship that drives inclusive economic growth. 
• Foster collaboration and learning across Agriculture, Health, and Education sectors. 
• Support the development of prototype digital solutions with potential for incubation, mentorship, and scale-up

Programme Design 

Participants will be divided into six multidisciplinary teams (five members each) — two teams per sector. 
Each team will: 

Conduct systems analysis to understand challenges and opportunities in their chosen sector; 

Define a problem statement; 

Ideate and prototype digital solutions; 

Test and plan for a potential minimum viable product (MVP). 

At the end of the sprint, teams will pitch their prototypes to a review panel. Selected teams will be connected to mentorship, incubation, and potential seed funding opportunities to advance their ideas. 

UNDP Digital for Youth-Led Enterprise

Application Deadline	October 26, 2025
Funding Type	Fully Funded
Type	Training
Sponsor	United Nations

UNDP Digital for Youth-Led Enterprise Benefits

The programme is fully funded by UNDP, covering travel, accommodation, and meals for all selected participants. 

Requirements for UNDP Digital for Youth-Led Enterprise

Applications are open to Nigerian citizens and residents aged 18–35, including: 

• Students and recent graduates interested in technology and innovation;
• Early-stage entrepreneurs and startup founders;
• Professionals and practitioners working in Agriculture, Health, or Education;
• Innovators and digital enthusiasts who want to explore how technology can improve lives and livelihoods. 

Selection Process

Applicants will be evaluated based on: 

• Originality of ideas – unique insights or approaches to problems in the chosen sector; 
• Relevance to digital transformation – understanding of how technology can enhance impact; 
• Feasibility – clarity and practicality of the proposed ideas; 
• Clarity of problem understanding – strength of evidence and context awareness; 
• Motivation – personal drive and learning goals; 
• Diversity – representation across gender, geography, and background. 

Shortlisted candidates will be notified by 31 October 2025. 

Check also:
Queen Elizabeth Scholarship (How to Apply)

Application Deadline

October 26, 2025

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to United Nations on docs.google.com to apply

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