Digital Opportunity Trust

08/12/2026

08/12/2026

Sukurat has run Noble Catering and Party Consultant in Lagos, learning her craft as a child and building a business through skill and persistence alone. Through the Indigenous Apprenticeship to Work Programme, implemented by NerdzFactory and Research Links under the Mastercard Foundation Employee Innovation Fund in partnership with Digital Opportunity Trust, she was formally certified through Nigeria's Recognition of Prior Learning framework. Today, she mentors apprentices from the program, passing on her craft and the professional practices that have strengthened her business along the way.

She's one of 201 MasterCrafters certified in Lagos, 186 of them women, proving that recognition can transform how people are seen by their customers, communities, and themselves.

On International Youth Day, we're honouring mentors like Sukurat, and the young people being trained, who show real courage by choosing to learn a trade, commit to it, and build a future through it.

Click here to read Sukurat's full story: https://dotrust.org/the-certificate-she-had-always-deserved-sukurats-story/



The Employee Innovation Fund is an employee-led initiative of the Mastercard Foundation that empowers employees to propose and implement innovative projects addressing community challenges. With a focus on youth engagement, technology integration, and continuous learning, the Fund supports bold, high-potential ideas led by African and Indigenous youth-led organizations. In collaboration with Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT), the Employee Innovation Fund advances inclusive innovation, strengthens youth and women-led organizations, and accelerates transformative change.

08/12/2026

From barbershop to business owner, one plate at a time 🍽️

After losing his income when a business closed, Daudi turned to a lifelong passion: cooking. Through the Culinary Pathways Initiative, implemented by Krusty Krab Limited under the Mastercard Foundation's Employee Innovation Fund in partnership with Digital Opportunity Trust, he completed culinary training, an internship, and co-founded a school canteen in Katwe with fellow participant, Natasha. Today, he sits on the committee of the program's SACCO, helping other young people save, invest, and build their own paths forward.

On International Youth Day, we're celebrating the Daudis of the world: young people turning skills into livelihoods, and livelihoods into leadership.

Click here to read the full story: https://dotrust.org/cooking-up-opportunity-how-daudi-rebuilt-his-livelihood-through-culinary-training/

The Employee Innovation Fund is an employee-led initiative of the Mastercard Foundation that empowers employees to propose and implement innovative projects addressing community challenges. With a focus on youth engagement, technology integration, and continuous learning, the Fund supports bold, high-potential ideas led by African and Indigenous youth-led organizations. In collaboration with Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT), the Employee Innovation Fund advances inclusive innovation, strengthens youth and women-led organizations, and accelerates transformative change.

08/10/2026

Young people are already leading climate action in their communities. Now it’s your turn to get the tools, skills, and support to take action where you live.

Join DOT’s Climate Leadership for Community Action course — a 6-week, fully virtual program covering:
🌱 Understanding climate challenges
💡 Designing local solutions
📣 Mobilizing your community
🤝 Connecting with peers across Africa and the Middle East
🎓 A certificate upon completion

Registration closes TODAY, August 10. Don’t miss your chance to join Cohort 2! https://learn.dotrust.org/mod/page/view.php?id=2728

08/04/2026

💚 The deadline for cohort 2 registration has been extended to August 10th! 💚

DOT’s Climate Leadership for Community Action virtual course is a free, six-week learning experience designed to help young people build the knowledge, tools, and confidence to lead local climate action.

Here's what you'll walk away with:
-An understanding of climate science, climate justice, and sustainable development
-Hands-on experience with DOT's Participatory Action Research approach to build community-led solutions
-Direct mentorship from Ambassadors
-A network of youth climate leaders across Africa and the Middle East
-A certificate to show for it

No prior climate experience is required — just your commitment to making a difference. Registration closes August 10, 2026.
Register today: https://learn.dotrust.org/mod/page/view.php?id=2728

07/31/2026

From building confidence to creating opportunities for others, the impact of Going Beyond's Youth Leadership Program extends far beyond the classroom.

Meet Chrispin, Victoria, Grace, and Neuilly—four Youth Leader alumni whose journeys show how investing in young people creates a ripple effect of positive change. Through peer-to-peer learning, they have gained the skills, confidence, and leadership experience to transform not only their own futures, but also the lives of the young people and communities they serve.

Their stories remind us that when young people are trusted to lead, they become catalysts for lasting change.

Read their inspiring stories: https://dotrust.org/sharing-knowledge-shaping-futures/

Digital Women Active Africa Dynamiques et Excellentes d'Afrique Timveni Child & Youth Media Organisation sheria_kiganjani

07/27/2026

ONLY 2 MORE DAYS TO REGISTER FOR COHORT 2!

Climate solutions start with communities — and young people have a critical role to play. DOT's Climate Leadership for Community Action course gives you the skills, mentorship, and network to turn your ideas into action where it matters most: at home.

You’ll join a growing network of youth climate leaders, receive support from Ambassadors, and apply your learning to a real challenge in your community.

Registration closes July 29, 2026. Start your climate leadership journey today: https://learn.dotrust.org/mod/page/view.php?id=2728

07/21/2026

Ready to turn climate passion into community action?

DOT's 6-week Climate Leadership for Community Action virtual course equips young people across Africa and the Middle East with the tools, knowledge, and mentorship to design and lead real local climate solutions — learn alongside a global cohort, get mentored by DOT Climate Ambassadors, earn a certificate, and take your first step toward becoming a young climate leader.

⏳ 6 weeks | 5 hrs/week | 100% online
📅 Register for Cohort 1 by July 29!
🎓 Certificate awarded upon completion

Register now: https://learn.dotrust.org/mod/page/view.php?id=2728

Especially encouraged to register: young people aged 18–35 from Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Lebanon, Jordan, Malawi, Zambia and those from climate-vulnerable communities.

07/15/2026

Cohort 2 registration has officially opened for DOT's Climate Leadership for Community Action virtual course. This is your sign to register and make a change in your community! 🌍

Over 6 weeks, you'll gain the tools, knowledge, and confidence to design real climate solutions where you live. No experience needed. Just your commitment to change.

⏳ 6 weeks | 5 hrs/week | 100% online
📅 Register for Cohort 2 by July 29!
🎓 Certificate awarded upon completion

Register now: https://learn.dotrust.org/mod/page/view.php?id=2728

Especially encouraged to register: young people aged 18–35 from Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Lebanon, Jordan, Malawi, Zambia and those from climate-vulnerable communities.

07/02/2026

🌟 Meet the 30 Youth Leaders of the Youth Leadership Program 2026/2027!

We are proud to introduce the inspiring young leaders selected for the Youth Leadership Program 2026/2027 under the Project, implemented by Pamoja Youth Initiative in partnership with Digital Opportunity Trust and the Mastercard Foundation.

These young women and men represent the passion, innovation, and determination needed to drive positive change in their communities. Over the next six months, they will empower fellow youth by sharing digital business skills with young entrepreneurs and businesses, helping to create greater impact across Zanzibar.

👏 Congratulations to all 30 Youth Leaders! Your journey begins now, and we look forward to seeing the difference you will make. Together, we are going beyond limits and building the next generation of changemakers.