Project Accelerate: Skills, Set, Go

"Project Accelerate" is a transformative initiative led by Ahmedabad Global Shapers, aimed at empowering youth and marginalized women to thrive in the fast-evolving job market. The project now encompasses three core focus areas: Youth Skilling and Bridging the Skill Gap, Women's Economic Empowerment, and Cybersecurity Awareness. Through this multifaceted approach, the initiative seeks to create a robust foundation for individuals to gain critical skills, achieve economic independence, and navigate the digital world safely.

In today's competitive job market, young people need more than just formal education—they need practical, 21st-century skills that can help them stand out. Project Accelerate addresses this by offering comprehensive training in key competencies such as digital literacy, critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication.

The initiative provides:

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  Training Programs: Hands-on learning opportunities, including online courses and interactive workshops, focused on emerging technologies, soft skills, and industry trends.


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  Bridging the Skill Gap: Specialized courses designed to align with the needs of the current job market, addressing the gap between education and employability. This ensures participants are prepared for the future of work.


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  Mentorship and Networking: Access to experienced mentors who guide youth through career-building opportunities, enhancing their skills while building valuable industry connections.

Women, particularly in marginalized communities, face significant barriers to economic participation. Project Accelerate is committed to fostering economic independence for women by providing them with the tools and support needed to secure sustainable livelihoods. The initiative not only helps women acquire new skills but also enables them to access government grants and participate in the local economy.

Key components include:

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  Entrepreneurship and Vocational Training: Offering women vocational skills and entrepreneurial courses, empowering them to start businesses or seek meaningful employment.


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  Government Support and Grants: Helping women navigate and avail of government grants and other financial resources, thereby supporting their journey toward self-reliance.


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  Leadership and Community Engagement: Promoting women's leadership roles within their communities by providing the resources to influence local laws, policies, and economic structures.

As the digital landscape becomes more integral to daily life, awareness of cybersecurity risks is crucial. With increasing reliance on digital platforms for work, learning, and communication, it is essential that individuals, especially women and young people, are equipped with the knowledge to protect themselves from cyber threats.

This focus area includes:

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  Cybersecurity Education: Conducting workshops and training sessions on safe online practices, including privacy management, recognizing phishing attempts, and safeguarding personal information.


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  Digital Literacy Programs: Helping participants navigate the online world safely, including the ethical use of digital tools and understanding the consequences of cyber-attacks.


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  Protective Measures for Entrepreneurs: Teaching small business owners, particularly women entrepreneurs, how to protect their business data and financial information from potential cyber threats.

The hub is working on below partnerships under this project and focus areas:

UNDP Skilling Program

• Through collaboration with the Movers Program, the hub provides courses on the Future of Work to prepare students for emerging industries.


• Participants are certified by UNDP, equipping them with globally recognized skills and increasing their employability.

Youth Job Support

• In partnership with industry organizations like CII, GUSEC, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, NASSCOM, and GCCI, the hub facilitates internship, job, and career opportunities.


• This vertical directly addresses the skill gap by connecting students with employers, ensuring smoother transitions from training to employment.

Entrepreneurship Development Courses

• The hub offers free, short-term courses for rural women, urban marginalized women, and low-income college students.


• These 15-day, 30-day, and 3-month courses focus on entrepreneurship, enabling women to access government schemes and become financially independent.

Marginalised Women Job Support

• Women from marginalized communities also benefit from job opportunities facilitated by the hub’s partnerships with industry organizations.


• By bridging the gap between employers and employees, the hub ensures women can access sustainable career paths post-training.

Cyber Security with IBM and US State Services

• The hub, in partnership with IBM Skillsbud and American Corner - US State Services, provides a 6-month Basic to Advanced Cybersecurity Training Program.


• This vertical focuses on both cybersecurity awareness and career opportunities, helping participants understand digital risks while preparing for careers in the cybersecurity sector.

IMPACT METRICS (April 2023- February 2024)

• Reached 3000 schools and 500 institutions in Gujarat State and taught them about Digital Literacy and Cyber Security.


• Engaged over 100,000 students in 8th and 9th grades.


• Partnership between Ahmedabad Global Shapers and IBM's Cyber Security Project.


• Post-workshop evaluations conducted for effectiveness assessment

• Engaged 150+ young people and change-makers from diverse backgrounds making it an inclusive project


• Convened Focus group discussions on all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).


• Recommendations compiled and shared with organizations and policymakers.


• Coverage by major newspapers, highlighting its uniqueness in Ahmedabad.

• Certified 1500+ engineering students.


• Covered topics including SDGs, entrepreneurship, gender equality, climate action, leadership, and Digital literacy.


• Aimed to bridge the gap between skilling and employment.


• Expected to enhance students' employability and strengthen their CVs. Also provide career oriented skills to become future-ready.

Entrepreneurship development courses

• 279 Rural women, 127 Urban Marginalised Women's and 57 College students trained. Government Certificates were issued to all of them.


• 98 beneficiaries received government support worth 10 Million INR in total.


• total number of 400 indirect employment is generated

• Futuristic Life-Skills, Menstrual Hygiene Awareness, and Online Safety Awareness sessions reached 3200 adolescent girls.


• Online master class on entrepreneurship, digital marketing, and strategic thinking engaged 10,000+ young girls and women from Government Girl Polytechnic.


• Online skilling program targeted 2000+ undergraduate students, focusing on digital literacy, research-based education awareness, and climate change at GLS University.

IMPACT METRICS (December 2021- April 2023)

UNDP Skilling Program:

• Ongoing partnership with 6 Universities, 17 Colleges


• Enrollment of 3100+ students for 19 different courses over 3 months


• 2300+ Certificates issued to date


• 700+ Students helped with college placements

Cyber Security with IBM and US State Services

• Ongoing partnership with 3 Universities, 9 Colleges


• Enrollment of 1200+ students for 3 different courses of 1/2/3 months


• 400+ Certificates issued to date


• 3000+ Students engaged to date through awareness programs

Entrepreneurship development courses

• 279 Rural women, 127 Urban Marginalised Women's and 57 College students trained. Government Certificates were issued to all of them.


• 48 beneficiaries received government support worth 56 lakhs in total.


• total number of 93 employment is generated

Job Support

• 300+ Internships provided with an average stipend of 3000 per month.


• Mapped 120+ students with different segments.


• Career Guidance and Counselling to 200+ Students to date.