Mipango Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MEI) Centre of the Institute of Rural Development Planning (IRDP) was established in October 2019. The foremost aim of its establishment was to support and strengthen practical training, cultivate and enhance the spirit and culture of entrepreneurship and innovation among the IRDP students so as they can employ themselves as well as creating job opportunity for others. MEI Centre is also established to help entrepreneurs and the general public in both rural and urban areas to build capacity for value addition for different products so as to support industrialization and reduce poverty. In Kiswahili, the MEI Centre is known as Kituo cha Ujasiriamali na Ubunifu.
Vision
MEI Centre vision is to become the focal point for entrepreneurship and innovation for rural and urban areas in Tanzania.
Mission
Provide training and services that are focused on enhancing the entrepreneurship and innovation practical skills that support creation of employment opportunities, value addition for agricultural products and commercial goods that promotes industries based economy and poverty reduction among both rural and urban communities.
Enhancing knowledge, skills, and entrepreneurial mindsets to empower individuals for innovation, self-employment, and business development.
Providing personalized guidance, expert advisory, and continuous support to nurture entrepreneurial ideas and foster business growth.
Facilitating connections between individuals or teams and relevant opportunities, resources, and support systems to accelerate entrepreneurial success
The ongoing entrepreneurship and innovation activities at MEI Center are diverse and of great success potentials. The activities include ICT, Products Branding, Photo shooting, Aquaculture, Poultry, Car maintenance services, food processing, decorations design and production, leather products among others. The center is also providing free after graduation care for IRDP graduates (Alumni) who are engaged in entrepreneurship across the country. Hence, we would like to invite more IRDP Alumni to use our MEI Center services so as to share experience as well providing all necessary capacities and professional advice as well as visibility opportunities that are required to make their businesses prosper.
Youth2Youth Program at MEI Center
MEI Center hosts a Youth-to-Youth program which offers opportunity for youth to support their fellow youth in innovations (development of new products and designs) as well as advancing their existing businesses. There are two modalities to engage in this program. First, the youth in any place in Tanzania or any organization engaged in youth capacity building may invite a youth from MEI Center who has a special skill to train him/her of a specific issue. The invitee will cover all costs such as travel and accommodation for the MEI Center student. They will make their arrangements, but coordinated by MEI Center coordinator. Secondly, MEI Center cordially invites all youths in Tanzania and outside Tanzania who would like to visit MEI Center and spend sometimes either as a summer holiday or volunteer at their own cost. Any youth interested and is voluntarily moved to train his/her fellow youth in Tanzania on special entrepreneurship or innovation skills is invited to contact the MEI Center Coordinator for more arrangements.
Mipango Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MEI) Center,
Directorate of Research, Consultancy and Publications – Institute of Rural Development Planning,
P.O.Box138-Dodoma.
Email: mei@irdp.ac.tz
Tel: +255(0) 26 296 303 7
Mobile: +255 782 761 572 (MEI Coordinator)
Fax: +255(0) 26 296 303 6