The African Climate and Development Initiative (ACDI) together with the Hasso Plattner School of Design
Thinking at UCT (d-school Afrika) and the Bertha Centre for Innovation & Entrepreneurship are
publishing a call for Expression of Interest from organizational teams working in the climate change
space. Teams will participate in a bespoke programme integrating Design Thinking and Systems
Innovation for practitioners. The programme includes a 5-Day Design Thinking in Practice workshop
with the aim of co-creating human-centered innovative solutions that address real life climate-related
issues of your choice. Some teams, where deemed suitable will be selected for the Systems
Entrepreneurship Incubation Track in which they learn more about embedding a solution in society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
WHY?<\/strong> During the first phase the ACDI, through the South Africa \/ Flanders Climate Adaptation Research and WHAT TO EXPECT?<\/strong>
Design Thinking (DT) is a methodology which provides an innovative solution-based approach to solving
problems. It\u2019s extremely useful for tackling complex problems that are ill-defined or non-apparent
because it serves to understand the human needs involved, reframe the problem in human-centric ways,
create numerous ideas in brainstorming sessions and adopt a hands-on approach. The DT approach will
work well for climate change challenges because, as landscapes and natural conditions change,
practices will need to change as the old ways of doing may no longer work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Training Partnership (SAF-ADAPT) Project ran 1-day workshops across the country, the aim of which
was to expose those working on climate-related issues to DT. During the workshops participants
worked in teams on a hypothetical climate related challenge. It soon became apparent that the DT
method had the potential to help practitioners and researchers turn their ideas into actions and come
up with innovative solutions to some of the climate challenges facing South Africans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A programme comprising an in-person Design Thinking in Practice workshop, including systems
innovation coaching. The programme is designed for practitioners working on solving climate-related
issues in South Africa and will be offered to teams of between 5-12 people. Based on the outcomes of
this workshop teams may be offered our additional Systems Entrepreneurship Incubation Track. The
hosts will arrange for the programme to take place in different locations around South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n