EDISON Lesson Learned Case Study Annex 2025

AboutDaring to Shift (D2S), in partnership with Global Affairs Canada, catalyzed youth leadership and community empowerment by enhancing resilience and economic inclusion, particularly for young women. Over four years, it supported youth in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi, Zambia, Ghana, Jordan, and Lebanon through initiatives in community leadership, digital business, digital jobs, and social entrepreneurship. ImpactD2S directly equipped 44,681 youth participants (29,256 women, 15,425 men) with digital and livelihood skills, with 88% increasing their income and business profits by 20% or more. The project engaged 167 Community of Practice Partners and indirectly reached 111,205 beneficiaries. Lessons learned1 Achieving youth empowerment through digital tech requires identifying local partners and enabling youth to leverage their resources. Success depends on working within a supportive partner ecosystem. 2 Results in gender equality and women’s empowerment must be integrated at multiple levels throughout the project to meet diverse target group needs. 3 Flexibility is key, as varying programme contexts influence popularity and effectiveness, particularly with rapidly changing digital technologies and skills needs. 4 Combining hard and soft skills is vital for youth empowerment. For women, soft skills build confidence, enabling them to use their hard skills in new ways, such as mentoring, and elevate their social status as role models. 5 A networked approach through Communities of Practice fosters sustainability by promoting local ownership and ongoing collaboration in gender equality efforts beyond project timelines. 6 DOT’s responsive approach empowered youth leaders to create lasting impacts by investing in their skills and businesses. Youth gained relevant skills that they continue to apply in their careers, businesses, and communitiesCASE STUDY 11 Digital Opportunity Trust: Placing Young Women at the Center of Inclusive Growth Lessons Learned Case Studies 8