Bridging Gaps

"Jobs are the surest way to put a nail in the coffin of poverty." But ending poverty is not a solo effort. In a recent speech at #FFD4, the President of the World Bank emphasized the need for collective action and the right enabling conditions to create lasting change. Among these, human infrastructure including #healthcare, #education, and #skills, is essential. ❤️ At Bridging Gaps, we resonate deeply with Mr. Ajay Banga's speech. Our mission is to empower refugee entrepreneurs in the Global South by creating access to #capital, #capacity, and #community. We believe that when people have the tools 🔨 , infrastructure, and support they need, they can build their own livelihoods and lead lasting change. Footage from UN Web TV. #BridgingGaps #SocialImpact #PovertyReduction #InclusiveEconomy #HumanInfrastructure

📣 Calling all AI Climate Innovators Our friends at Impact Hub Berlin are now accepting applications for its AI for Climate Action Accelerator, a 3-month hybrid program launching this September. You will have a chance to join an environment where collaboration, creativity, and #ClimateJustice come first. Founders will gain access to a diverse network of partners, potential clients and stakeholders—all without giving up equity. The program also connects participants with a global community of over half a million impact-driven entrepreneurs, along with a thriving local ecosystem of changemakers in #Berlin. 💬 Learn more about the program at the Q&A Session on July 16: https://lu.ma/ptiq4fyk 📅 Applications close on August 4, 2025 🌟 Apply here: https://lnkd.in/dqeDm28Y #ClimateAction #GreenInnovation #ImpactEntrepreneurs #TechForGood #ClimateJustice #SustainableTech #BridgingGpas #AIforGood #GreenTech #ClimateTech #ClimateAccelerator

👕 Julius Akisu runs a clothing business—and uses it to support orphans and his own family. With help from a microloan, he now earns at least 5,000 Ugx a day. That’s enough to cover basics like soap, airtime, and medicine, and to keep his children in school. 📱🧼💊📚 He’s grateful for the support that helped him grow his business and take care of those who rely on him. #BridgingGaps #RefugeeEntrepreneurs #Microloans #Uganda #SupportRefugees #SmallBusiness #SocialImpact #EducationMatters

"The language of efficiency must define this conference." – King Felipe VI of Spain. In this turbulent time of aid cuts and scarce resources, efficiency isn't just a virtue, it's a necessity. This was the powerful message from His Majesty during the #FfD4 conference, as he emphasized the role of the Seville Platform for Action (SPA) in weaving #partnerships and mobilizing resources for the Sustainable Development Goals. Bridging Gaps is honored to be selected as one of the initiatives under the SPA, working to accelerate #efficiency in financing underserved regions. We are committed to leveraging our #PayItForward model and community-led #entrepreneurship to advance the 2030 #SDGs. 🌎 Footage from UN Web TV. #GlobalAction #SustainableDevelopment #SevillePlatformforAction #RefugeeEntrepreneurs #SPA

🏆 We have been selected as a WINNER in Ashoka's Power of Local Challenge! We’re thrilled to share that our initiative—Bridging Gaps: Pay-it-forward Microloans for Social Entrepreneurs from Marginalized Communities—is one of 11 winners out of 900+ global applications! With new funding, we are ready to empower more refugee and marginalized entrepreneurs in the Global South to launch businesses, grow incomes, and strengthen local economies. 🌱🫶 A big thank you to every partner, team member, and supporter. ✨ Let’s keep bridging the gaps together! #BridgingGaps #SocialImpact #SocialEntrepreneurship #Changemakers #CommunityEmpowerment

We’re excited to announce that the PAN-AFRICAN MSME Business Incubation and Acceleration Center in Ghana has joined our Pay-It-Forward Alliance! 🇬🇭 With a mission to empower youth and women-led businesses across Ghana and the African continent, the center runs impactful programs that uplift micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) every year. Want to support us in bringing our Pay-It-Forward model to Ghana and help MSMEs build sustainable financial structures and create lasting impact in their communities? Reach out to collaborate or make a donation - link in our bio <3 Let's drive meaningful change together! 💪 #Partnership #SocialImpact #MSMEDevelopment #PayItForward #BridgingGaps #Ghana

🌍 Yesterday, our founder Janina Peter spoke at the UN’s Financing for Development Conference (FfD4). She opened her remarks with these powerful words: “I want to start by saying I’m here at FFD4 to show up for those who generally don’t get a stage at these events, let alone attend. Like my co-founder Malish James, who is a South Sudanese refugee based in Uganda whose family’s food aid just got cut due to international funding cuts. And like Bienve, who helped us bring our programme to refugee camps in Eastern DRC, giving hope to families, only to see the camps destroyed by the conflict. And like Milly, an indigenous refugee woman who had to flee from Venezuela to Brazil and is still working tirelessly to make life better for her community. And like countless others that we work with at Bridging Gaps who have been displaced or marginalized. I want to make sure all of their stories are heard here at FfD4 because they are the people not just affected by the decisions taken here this week, but they are also the ones who have solutions for their local challenges. Often, what is missing is just the initial funding to start building something.” It was an honor to speak alongside - Mr Jesus Enrique Garcia, Minister, Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the UN; - Dr Surya Deva, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development; - Mr Robert Powell, Special Representative to the United Nations, International Monetary Fund; - Dr Umberto Cattaneo, Public Finance Specialist, Universal Social Protection Department, International Labour Organization; - Ms Liza Guzmán, VP, Customer Strategy and Women’s Economic Empowerment, Accion; - Mr Md Biozid Jessorey, Executive Director, Biozid Climate Institute; - Mr Willice Onyango, Executive Director, African Youth Café — a distinguished panel organized by The NGO Committee on Financing for Development which we were happy to be a part of, and moderated by Ms Anita Thomas, Chiar, NGO Committee on Financing for Development, Representative to the UN, Women First International Fund. At Bridging Gaps, we believe those closest to the challenges are also closest to the solutions. We’re proud to keep amplifying the voices of refugee and marginalized entrepreneurs who deserve to be at the heart of global decision-making. #FfD4 #BridgingGaps #RefugeeEntrepreneurs #FinancingForDevelopment

Our First Social Entrepreneurship Workshop in Zambia 🎉 ! Together with our partner Over The Mountain Foundation (OTMF), we brought our first social #entrepreneurship training to life in Zambia 🇿🇲! 23 motivated young #entrepreneurs came together in a beautiful garden to discover how to turn ideas into impact. Guided by resources from the International Labour Organization and our Bridging Gaps Pay-It-Forward model, participants explored how to identify needs, test ideas, and build sustainable businesses models. The workshop centered on youth-driven solutions to local challenges, equipping young changemakers to create lasting impact within their own communities. Big thanks to Mudeya Madyenkuku and the entire OTMF team for making this possible. This is just the beginning and there is much more to come! 🚀 Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/dp-V35Mc #Entrepreneurship #Entrepreneurs
#CommunityEmpowerment
#ZambiaYouth
#SocialImpact
#Microloans
#Sustainable

“Jobs are the surest way to put a nail in the coffin of poverty.” This is a quote from The World Bank President Ajay Banga at the #FFD4 in Seville. At Bridging Gaps, we completely agree with Mr. Ajay Banga and we believe there’s more than one kind of nail: - Interest-free microloans - Community-led solutions - Our Pay-It-Forward microloan model These are our nails to drive bottom-up change and seal the coffin on poverty. Will you hold the hammer with us? 🔨 #BridgingGaps #Microloans #CommunityPower #GlobalSouth #GlobalDevelopment

🎉 Exciting news! Bridging Gaps has been selected by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs and the Government of Spain as one of the initiatives under the Sevilla Platform for Action (SPA), a global UN-led effort to mobilize transformative solutions for financing sustainable development that was launched here in Sevilla yesterday. Thank you to our wonderful partners, supporters, and endorsers: UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR Innovation Service The Global Good Fund University for Peace (UPEACE) - UN Mandated UPEACE Centre for Executive Education YY Ventures viacero.earth BBS NGO Committee on Financing for Development Afri-Youth Network Remember Youth for Change Associação Dos Migrantes Indigenas Roraimö Coastal and Marine Areas Development Initiative (CMADI) Women, Youths & Children for Development Mummy Marho's Children, Teenagers & Youth Foundation Over the Mountain Foundation Community Network for Change Pan-African MSME Business Incubation and Acceleration Centre #SevillaPlatform #FFD4 #RefugeeFinance #SocialEntrepreneurship #BridgingGaps