Kigali, Rwanda 0n 11th August 2026, TICO welcomed the GIZ team for a constructive and engaging meeting focused on strengthening the organizations ongoing collaboration and exploring new opportunities to advance inclusive and sustainable development in Rwanda.
During the meeting, both teams discussed several areas of current and upcoming work, including ILO Convention No. 190, the entrepreneurial design fellowship (EDF) Cohort 4, and the Ikirezi Chatbot.
The discussions provided an opportunity to identify areas of shared interest and explore how the partnership between TICO and GIZ could be further strengthened through collaboration around these initiatives.
The engagement around ILO Convention No.190 builds on TICO’s work to promote safe, respectful, and inclusive workplaces and strengthen awareness and action to prevent and address violence and harassment in the world of work.
EDF is one of TICO’s key youth empowerment initiatives, designed to equip young people with entrepreneurial, innovation, leadership, and digital skills that can help them develop sustainable solutions to community challenges and pursue economic self-reliance. The program combines training, mentorship, business development, pitching, and networking opportunities.
The discussion with GIZ provided an opportunity to explore how collaboration could strengthen the upcoming cohort and expand opportunities for young people to develop their ideas, build practical skills, and turn innovative solutions into meaningful community impact.
The Ikirezi Chatbot was also highlighted as an area of potential collaboration, reflecting TICO’s interest in using technology and innovation to strengthen engagement with young people and communities.
The initiative connects with TICO’s broader Social Inclusion and Human Rights work, particularly its focus on fairness, respect, equal treatment, and creating environments where people feel included, valued, and supported.
The discussion created space for both teams to explore how technology and innovative approaches can complement existing community interventions and contribute to more accessible and responsive solutions.
While technology continues to transform how people access information, communicate, and participate in society, TICO’s approach emphasizes the importance of ensuring that innovation remains connected to human needs and inclusion.
The meeting concluded with a shared interest in continuing discussions and identifying practical opportunities for collaboration. For TICO, the engagement represents an important opportunity to build on existing partnerships while exploring new approaches that can strengthen the impact of its programs. For GIZ, continued engagement with local organizations such as TICO can contribute to strengthening locally grounded approaches to inclusive and sustainable development.