The Accelerator Lab GW is working with local solutions providers to tackle the complex development challenges facing their respective communities. The team started this year by attending an exchange called, “Women in Synergy: health, development and social compromises”, organized by Ianda Guiné, a project funded by the European Union.

The exchange consisted of a three-days' workshop attended by 25 women from all regions of Guinea-Bissau. The aim of the workshop was to connect inspiring women and girls countrywide, to discuss the importance of strengthening the presence of women in all sectors of development including, health, food security and nutrition as well as create an enabling environment for development.

The Accelerator Lab GW aims to establish a network of female leaders who would help in identifying existing and new innovative local solutions to address prevailing development challenges in the country. The network supported the 6 weeks long field mission, wherein the Accelerator Lab Team mapped local innovators, solutions and positive deviances. The mapping included different examples of female innovators creating solutions for their everyday challenges.

One of them is Fatu Wagué who lives in Farim in a small community where soap is scarce. Fatu has developed her own soap made of olive oil or ziti oil, flour, caustic soda and water. The invention is supporting the community to maintain basic hygiene and sanitation among others.

In it's pursuit to eradicate poverty, and foster peaceful and inclusive societies, while reducing inequalities and helping local economies prosper, the Accelerator Lab GW will continue to pursue networking and partnerships in support of  local innovators, who are primed to improve life for future generations.