Young people have experience, passion, and insight rooted in the needs and challenges of their communities. DOT programs support youth to deepen their understanding of those needs and challenges, and provide them with the tools, knowledge, networks, and support to launch sustainable social initiatives that create positive change.
Youth develop entrepreneurial mindsets and communication, teamwork, decision-making, and digital skills. Their initiatives create a ripple effect of opportunities for themselves and others, leading to jobs, businesses, sustainable social and economic change, and transformed, resilient communities.
DOT Lebanon is mobilizing the potential of young people and the power of technology in Lebanon.
We’re doing this in three ways: by supporting young leaders to transform the education system through #EdTech (education technology); by developing the digital entrepreneurship skills of young people and Palestinian and Syrian refugees; and by supporting young college and university graduates to become Social Innovators that apply digital solutions to solve community challenges.
#EdTech
We work with educational institutions, including community centers and schools, to integrate technology into education systems and transform the way teachers and students interact.
Young people in DOT Lebanon’s #EdTech programs spread digital literacy among educators, create locally relevant tools and solutions, and make technology accessible in the classroom. DOT Lebanon partners in the #EdTech ecosystem provide locally relevant content and devices for use in the classroom.
Through these programs, teachers develop skills in information and communication technology (ICT), media literacy, digital citizenship, and much more. They become confident in creating technology-rich environments to maximize student learning.
Digital Entrepreneurship
We work with young people who have the passion and will to use digital technology to support their entrepreneurial initiatives.
With our network of partners, DOT Lebanon equips Lebanese youth and Palestinian and Syrian refugees with digital skills and training on start-up methods to become digital entrepreneurs.
DOT Lebanon has reached youth living in conflict zones through the Innovation Labs network, and brings together the private sector, academia, and the public sector to promote digital innovation. Through Girls Got IT Lebanon, girls are inspired to consider careers and entrepreneurship in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
After participating in these programs, young people are supported to launch their digital initiative as a sustainable social enterprise or business.
Social Entrepreneurship
We work with young college and university graduates who are motivated to start a business or initiative that creates a livelihood for themselves while also having a positive impact in their community.
As individuals or in teams, DOT’s Social Innovators use a human-centered design approach to develop, prototype, and launch a social innovation that solves a community challenge – creating economies of social good and transforming their communities.
With its partner organizations, DOT Lebanon supports the social entrepreneurship ecosystem within Lebanon to create solutions to some of the region’s most complex social issues.
Our programs provide young people with the opportunity to develop skills, deep knowledge, networks, and investment in their ideas. Key to the success of all of DOT’s young leaders is:
Experience-based learning
DOT provides training to young people while they build their skills and abilities in and alongside local communities, business, institutions, and organizations.
Community impact
young people put their knowledge to work, and gain a deep understanding needs, challenges, and what they can contribute to their local community.
Networks
our young leaders are connected with peers, global networks, mentors, and networks of partners who all play a role in growing their ideas.
Investment
we believe in investing in young people as changemakers and innovators. DOT supports youth through stipends, job placements, seed funding, and incentives.