About
GIEN believes that grassroots communities have the potential, creativity, and resilience to transform their lives and environments, if given the opportunity and support rather than passive recipients of aid and assistance.
Our Value
Empowering local Entrepreneurs that address local needs and aspirations.
GIEN also advocates for a more inclusive and participatory development approach that values and respects the grassroots perspectives and contributions.
Grassroot Innovation and Entrepreneurship Network (GIEN) is an Initiative of Data Dive Ltd. that aims to promote and support grassroot entrepreneurship and innovation, and political prowess in Nigeria. We believe that entrepreneurship and innovation are powerful tools for social and economic development, and every individual has the potential to create positive change in their own lives and in their communities, if given the opportunity and the resources. We also believe that grassroots innovation can play a central role in the post-COVID world and inspire the transformation to a more inclusive and sustainable economy and society, especially in regions that face challenges such as insecurity, poverty, and environmental degradation.
The initiative was formed in 2022, to foster grassroot participation in Nigeria’s 2023 elections, sensitizing voters about the rights of voters.
Our vision is to cultivate a thriving and inclusive ecosystem of grassroots entrepreneurs and innovators. We aspire to witness vibrant communities across Nigeria harnessing their creativity, resilience, and untapped potential to bring about transformative change. Our vision extends to a future where individuals at the grassroots level, armed with innovative ideas, skills, and passion, play a pivotal role in building a sustainable and prosperous nation. Through empowerment and collaboration, we envision a harmonized landscape where grassroots communities are not only the architects of their own success but also contributors to the greater well-being of the entire nation.”
Our mission is to catalyze sustainable development by nurturing and supporting grassroots entrepreneurship and innovation. We believe that every individual possesses untapped potential, and by harnessing their creativity and skills, we can build resilient communities and contribute to the overall well-being of society.
We are committed to identifying, nurturing and empowering grassroot entrepreneurs and innovators who we believe have the potential to create positive impact and value in their local communities. Our approach is multifaceted, encompassing education, mentorship, and community engagement. We collaborate with local stakeholders, governmental bodies, and like-minded organizations to create an ecosystem that identifies, nurtures, and empowers aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators.
Community Outreach; Programs and Initiatives:
- Provide access to training, mentoring, networking, and funding opportunities for grassroot entrepreneurs and innovators to develop and scale their ventures.
- Advocate for policies and regulations that enable and encourage grassroot entrepreneurship and innovation in Nigeria.
- Collaborate with other stakeholders, such as government, private sector, academia, civil society, and media, to foster a culture of grassroot entrepreneurship and innovation in Nigeria.
- Insecurity Challenges and proper governance: Educate the communities on political awareness, rights, and responsibilities, and equip them with the skills and tools to demand good governance, security, and development from their political leaders and institutions.
- Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps: Visit IDP camps to assess and address challenges, providing immediate relief and sustainable interventions for critical deficiencies in food, clothing, shelter, and clean water. Focus on understanding and responding to insecurity issues. Offer opportunities for grassroots innovation and entrepreneurship, supporting IDPs in developing skills, talents, and ideas to overcome challenges. Empower IDPs in advocating for their rights, political awareness, and good governance, fostering resilience and positive change in their communities.
Entrepreneurship
Grassroots in Nigeria are facing multiple challenges that affect their security, welfare, and development.
Innovation
However, they also have the potential and capacity to overcome these challenges and create positive change in their own lives and in their society.
Political Prowess
Showcase regions or countries that have successfully transitioned to a significant percentage of green energy.
IDP Outreach
Showcase regions or countries that have successfully transitioned to a significant percentage of green energy.
Grassroots in Nigeria and a Need For Grassroot Development Visa Vis Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Political Prowess
Nigeria is a country with a population of over 200 million people, of which about 70% live in rural areas or urban slums. These grassroots communities face various challenges such as insecurity, poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, poor infrastructure, environmental degradation, and social exclusion. These challenges hinder their participation and representation in the democratic process, as well as their access and contribution to the economic and social development of the country.
However, these grassroots communities also have the potential and capacity to overcome these challenges and create positive change in their own lives and in their society, if given the opportunity and the resources. They have the knowledge, skills, creativity, and resilience to generate and implement innovative solutions that respond to their local needs, challenges, and opportunities. They also have the aspiration, motivation, and courage to engage in entrepreneurial activities that create jobs, income, and social impact for themselves and others.
Therefore, there is a need for a grassroots development approach that recognizes and supports the grassroots communities as agents of change and development, rather than as passive recipients of aid and assistance. Such an approach should foster and facilitate grassroots innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as grassroots governance and participation, as key drivers of grassroots development. It should also empower and enable the grassroots communities to acquire and exercise political prowess, as a means of influencing and benefiting from the policies and programmes of the government and other stakeholders.
This is the vision and mission of Grassroot Innovation and Entrepreneurship Network (GIEN), a non-governmental organization that aims to empower and support grassroots communities in Nigeria through grassroots innovation and entrepreneurship programmes
Grassroots Innovation and Entrepreneurship Programmes
GIEN believes that grassroots innovation and entrepreneurship are the processes of generating and implementing novel, bottom-up solutions for sustainable development that respond to the local needs, challenges, and opportunities of the grassroots communities and groups. Grassroots innovation and entrepreneurship can create jobs, income, and social impact for the grassroots, as well as contribute to the national and global development goals.
Grassroots Governance and Participation Programmes
GIEN believes that grassroots governance and participation are the processes of making and implementing decisions that affect the lives and interests of the grassroots communities and groups. Grassroots governance and participation can enhance the accountability, responsiveness, and effectiveness of the public and private institutions that serve the grassroots, as well as enable the grassroots to voice their concerns, demands, and preferences in the development process.
GIEN’s grassroots governance and participation programmes include:
- Grassroots Budget Monitoring: A programme that trains and empowers grassroots communities to monitor and report on the implementation and impact of the government and donor-funded projects and programmes in their communities. The programme also facilitates dialogue and feedback between the grassroots and the government and donor agencies.
- Grassroots Advocacy and Campaigning: A programme that supports grassroots communities to identify and advocate for their rights and interests on issues that affect them, such as land, water, health, education, and security. The programme also mobilizes grassroots communities to campaign for policy and social change on these issues.
- Grassroots Leadership Development: A programme that identifies and nurtures grassroots leaders who can inspire and mobilize their communities for positive change and development. The programme provides leadership training, coaching, and mentoring for grassroots leaders, as well as opportunities for networking and exposure.
Grassroots Political Prowess Programmes
GIEN believes that grassroots political prowess is the ability and willingness of the grassroots communities and groups to influence and benefit from the political process and system in Nigeria. Grassroots political prowess can enhance the political inclusion and empowerment of the grassroots, as well as their access and contribution to the democratic governance and development of the country.
GIEN’s grassroots political prowess programmes include:
- Grassroots Political Education and Awareness: A programme that educates and informs grassroots communities about their rights, duties, and opportunities as citizens, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the government and other political actors. The programme also raises the awareness and interest of the grassroots in the political issues and processes that affect them, such as elections, legislation, and policy making.
- Grassroots Political Participation and Representation: A programme that encourages and supports grassroots communities to participate and represent themselves in the political process and system in Nigeria, such as voting, running for office, joining political parties, and forming coalitions. The programme also provides capacity building, legal aid, and protection for grassroots political actors and activists.
- Grassroots Political Dialogue and Engagement: A programme that facilitates and promotes dialogue and engagement between grassroots communities and other political stakeholders, such as government officials, legislators, political parties, civil society organizations, and media. The programme also creates platforms and spaces for grassroots communities to express and exchange their views and opinions on political issues and processes that affect them.