Innovations for the future: Award for Master's students at the Brandt School

Participation in the Melton Foundation's Global Solvers Accelerator (GSA) programme is already a great success, as it is preceded by an elaborate selection process. The two student assistants from the Willy Brandt School of Public Policy at the University of Erfurt, Idowu Adeyemi from Nigeria and Waseem Chandio from Pakistan, have now been recognised by the foundation for their project presentations. On their way to this success they were accompanied by Professor Dr Heike Grimm, vice director of the Brandt School, in whose seminars they were able to specialise in the areas of non-profit management and social entrepreneurship. In these courses, students develop social projects and initiatives that are prepared for launch using methods such as the Social Business Model Canvas or pitch training – in close cooperation with the Melton Foundation and other partners.

Pioneer for inclusive education and digital opportunities in Nigeria
Idowu Olamilekan Adeyemi has completed his master's degree with distinction earlier this year, is now a student assistant at the Willy Brandt School of Public Policy and has been campaigning for better inclusion since his childhood in Ibadan, Nigeria. His goal was and still is to break down systematic barriers for people with disabilities, especially in education and the labour market. With "Archivan Consulting Limited", Idowu Adeyemi has founded a social enterprise that offers young Nigerians and Nigerians with disabilities training in digital skills, employability and entrepreneurship to enable them to succeed in an increasingly technologised economy. "Archivan" has a twofold effect: it reduces inequality in the labour market and redefines what inclusion can look like in practice. Adeyemi wants to establish "Archivan" worldwide and prove that inclusive innovation is not only possible, but essential.

Fair future prospects for Pakistan's leather trade
Waseem Iqbal Chandio is also studying for a Master's degree at the Willy Brandt School of Public Policy, where he works as a student assistant. Just like Idowu Adeyemi, Waseem Chandio combines his academic studies at the University of Erfurt with experience in non-profit organisations. With "Lederbrücke", he has founded a project that aims to empower Pakistani leather artisans through fair, well-paid jobs, a more direct access to global markets and sustainable production. The aim is to decline the participation of exploitative middlemen, instead complying with EU production standards and introducing environmentally conscious alternatives such as artificial leather. By combining PR storytelling, craftsmanship and strategic retail partnerships, Waseem Chandio is positioning artisans between tradition and innovation.

Idowu Adeyemi and Waseem Chandio were among the 20 participants in this year's cohort of the GSA programme and stood out as future leaders with their ideas for a fairer and more sustainable future. With this award, they will receive further support from the Melton Foundation to expand the effectiveness of their projects.