LOCAL WINNER
Beginner Awards: Social impact
The Learning Bridge Project
Solution summary
The Learning Bridge project is a 3-pronged approach to support migrants and refugees, with the Community Bridge app, today's solution, at its core. The Community Bridge app is a comprehensive digital platform designed to support migrants and refugees in their vocational training and in building sustainable businesses. It includes a mentorship portal, marketplace, and educational resources, all tailored to address the unique needs of migrants and refugee entrepreneurs across Europe.
Solution details
Target Group
Migrants and refugees in Europe, particularly those interested in entrepreneurship and financial independence, including a dedicated portal focusing on supporting female-led businesses.
Innovativeness
Community Bridge combines mentorship, a marketplace, and a resource hub, creating a one-stop solution that bridges access gaps for refugees. Its unique approach integrates training and EU-specific funding guides with community building and support, unlike any current solution on the market.
Transferability
The platform's modular design and multilingual support make it adaptable for different migrant and refugee populations across Europe. Key components, such as mentorship and the marketplace, could be applied to other underserved communities globally.
Context
Migrants and refugees face significant challenges in building businesses due to language barriers, limited networks, and lack of funding resources. Community Bridge addresses these challenges by offering a digital, scalable solution tailored to their training and entrepreneurial needs.
Impact
Community Bridge aims to improve financial independence, social integration, and economic resilience among migrant and refugee communities. Impact will be measured through business launches, revenue growth, and mentorship engagement rates.SustainabilityWe plan to implement the solution through a phased rollout, beginning with a pilot MVP, scaling with partnerships, and securing long-term funding from grants and sponsorships. In the long term, it will be sustained through regional partnerships and EU support.
Team Work
Our team members have expertise in humanities and second language teaching, digital learning and content development, AI for education, instructional and learning experience design, vocational training, and community development. This combination makes us uniquely qualified to develop this solution. We have collaborated effectively and are committed to continuing this work to bring Community Bridge to life.
Link to YouTube video: https://youtu.be/8vf5d9UjEs0?si=mv27Jya21cV3jxJk
Link to website: https://sites.google.com/view/the-learning-bridge-project/home
Link to project description: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1jQKRzXsFRJm_cLQSrB8VZp0QbXU8u1yx475iXZ_qc6U/edit?usp=sharing
Link to project presentation: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGWFbjZKZg/up00ayK3g6yayw42TO7Ggg/view?utm_content=DAGWFbjZKZg&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=editor
Tweet / Slogan
Community Bridge: a digital platform empowering refugees across Europe with mentorship, resources, and marketplace access to build sustainable businesses and achieve financial independence.
Resources
The following resources provide detailed insights into the Learning Bridge Project, including its objectives, implementation strategies, and innovative tools. These materials outline the project's impact, scalability, and ethical considerations, offering a comprehensive overview for stakeholders and potential collaborators.
- A PDF project presentation with a detailed explanation of the project, goals, impact, and implementation strategies, including a completed Business Model Canvas and link to an accompanying document further detailing the business model canvas and outlining the project's structure and scalability, a user journey, references including evidence-based reports and EU guidelines ensuring alignment with educational standards and ethical practices and links to supporting documents.
Context
In 2023, over 1.1 million asylum applications were lodged in the EU, many coming from countries like Ukraine, Syria, and Afghanistan. Many asylum seekers face barriers such as language, lack of documentation, and misaligned education systems, which hinder their integration and employability. The Learning Bridge Project directly addresses these challenges through AI-enhanced educational tools aligned with EU qualifications frameworks.
Who Benefits?
Educational Empowerment: Provides essential literacy, language, and vocational training tailored to individual needs.
Economic Integration: Equips users with job-ready skills and entrepreneurial tools, fostering self-sufficiency.
Inclusivity: Ensures accessibility for marginalized groups, including undocumented minors and young adults.
Recognition: Offers micro-credentials and aligns with the European Qualifications Passport for Refugees to validate skills.
Holistic Support: Combines practical training with cultural and social integration tools.
Impact
The Learning Bridge Project has the potential to transform the lives of refugees and asylum seekers across Europe by:
Enabling faster integration into host communities through tailored training and mentorship.
Reducing educational inequalities by providing accessible, multilingual, and offline learning options.
Supporting economic independence through a marketplace for entrepreneurs and networking opportunities.
Promoting gender equity with specific resources for female entrepreneurs.
Aligning with SDG goals to ensure quality education and foster sustainable development.
Team work
The project is spearheaded by a diverse team of experts:
Daire Maria Ni Uanachain: AI in education and learning experience design specialist.
William Charles McAlpine: Vocational training expert and digital learning designer.
Lila Ibrahim Aouad: Community development specialist with cultural expertise.
The team’s multidisciplinary approach ensures a comprehensive and culturally sensitive solution tailored to diverse refugee needs.
Innovativeness
Community Bridge combines is a one-stop solution that bridges access gaps for refugees. Its unique approach integrates training and EU-specific funding guides with community building and support, unlike any current solution on the market. The Learning Bridge Project sets itself apart by:
Integrating AI-driven personalized learning for language acquisition and skill-building.
Offering a scalable, multilingual platform adaptable across EU countries.
Creating a dedicated marketplace for refugee entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their products.
Developing a mentorship program tailored to address unique cultural and gender-specific challenges.
Transferability
Designed to be adaptable across different European regions, the project incorporates:
Multilingual support for broad accessibility.
Resources tailored to regional job market needs and funding opportunities.
Integration with EU-wide micro-credential systems such as the European Qualifications Passport for Refugees, ensuring skills recognition across borders.
Partnerships with educational institutions, NGOs, and training centers to ensure scalability and relevance.
Sustainability
The project ensures long-term impact through:
Alignment with the European Digital Education Action Plan and Qualifications Framework.
Partnerships with NGOs, educational institutions, and government bodies for ongoing support.
Focus on user privacy and adherence to GDPR, ensuring trust and engagement.
Iterative design processes incorporating user feedback to continually improve and expand offerings.