This year during the innovation week, Ndoto hub in collaboration with (FINGO) Finnish Development NGOs Platform organized a workshop for Non-Government Organizations in Tanzania on their roles in innovation for sustainable development goals.

Ms. Emma Nkonoki from FINGO gave opening remarks and Faraja Nyalandu, the Managing Director for Shule Direct took it from there by leading a very beautiful interactive session on how NGOs can be innovative and impactful.

One of the important tips shared was, who is the user of your product or service? Knowing and understanding well the person or community you are intending to offer your services to. What are their norms and culture, lifestyle, daily routine, challenges faced and how are you going to impact their lives and so forth.

We then separated into different groups, acting as NGOs working on different SDGs. Each group worked on a different goal. In the groups we collaborated together in coming up with an innovative way towards working on a particular goal and become impactful. Fantasy people were born in the group work as a basis for user-oriented design.

The brain storming session had to call out for a short recess and it was time for lunch. Astonishing as it was, lunch was prepared by our very own Ndoto Star Miss. Esther Peter of Excellence Catering and Food Services. The food was undisputable awesome. We are very proud of her.

The presentation fueled up everyone’s spirit and left each of us in the house with an assignment to work on after the workshop.

NGOs and CSOs are so important for the innovation ecosystem. Innovation is not just for start ups and tech companies, NGOs need to be innovative in their impactful work.