By 
By Ross Moyo
The Ministry of Youth, in partnership with the UN Youth Group chaired by UNFPA, has opened the Zimbabwe Youth Innovation HackLab 2026 – a national call for youth-led solutions to Zimbabwe’s most pressing challenges.
The HackLab is anchored in the National Youth Empowerment Strategy 2026-2030 and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Problem areas were validated by young people, government, UN agencies and civil society at the July 2026 Problem Definition Workshop.
What’s on offer?
Three category winners will each walk away with a US$5,000 seed grant, plus business development support, pitch coaching and national and regional visibility.
“You don’t need to have everything figured out. Your idea needs to respond to a real problem, address a root cause and have potential to be built, tested and refined.”
The 3 Categories:
Category 1: Holistic Youth Health & Well-being
Laws and policies, health financing challenges, health system service delivery gaps, social and cultural barriers, information/digital access gaps.
Category 2: Youth Economic Empowerment & Structural Formalisation
Skills misalignment, the changing work environment, entry barriers into formal employment, lack of entrepreneurship support, behavioural/soft skills gaps.
Category 3: Scaling Green Jobs & Climate Resilience
Information gaps on green opportunities, skills and education gaps, structural and policy barriers, inequality and exclusion, limited access to finance and technology.
Who Can Apply?
– All team members must be 18-35 and ordinarily resident in Zimbabwe
– Individuals can apply, but teams of 2-5 are strongly encouraged
– Teams with at least 40% female membership are prioritised – all-female teams are equally eligible
– Select ONE category only
– Ideas at concept, early prototype or early pilot stage eligible. Fully operational businesses NOT eligible unless pivoting to address a root cause in a materially different way
– Employed, students or self-employed can apply. University/NGO/company affiliation does not disqualify you if idea is not proprietary to that institution
– Previous UNFPA or UN agency innovation award winners in Zimbabwe cannot apply with same idea, but can apply with a new idea targeting a different root cause
How To Apply:
Complete the online form: forms.gle/qXG6oVCC87Dq82
You will need:
1. Team details & category selection
2. Problem-solution summary (max 500 words)
3. Innovation description (max 800 words)
4. Target root cause & 12-month implementation plan
5. Budget estimate
6. Intersectionality note – SRHR, gender equity or disability inclusion
Important Dates:
– 25 Sep 2026: Applications open
– 20 Oct 2026, 23:59 CAT: Applications close
– 23-24 Oct 2026: Finalists notified & briefed
– 4-5 Nov 2026: Pitching & winners announced – Harare
Scan the QR code on the flyer to apply.
Partners include UNFPA, UNDP, UNICEF, UNESCO, IOM, UN Women, WFP, UN Volunteers, ILO, FAO.
#ZimbabweHackLab2026 #YouthInnovation
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