Khasar_S_Tamir&Byamba_LeavingDanceStudio_LastOneDanceStudio_Ulaanbaatar_Mongolia_A7401620
In an effort to align with the USAID Digital Strategy and recognize USAID Missions, Bureaus and partners that are empowering countries in a digital age, USAID launched the 2022 Digital Development Awards (the Digis), the fourth round of these awards. The Digis recognize and celebrate USAID-funded projects and activities that use digital technology to sustain open, secure, and inclusive digital ecosystems in order to improve measurable development and humanitarian-assistance outcomes. After receiving nearly 200 applications from USAID Missions around the world, five winners were selected for the 2022 Digital Development Awards, including USAID/Regional Development Mission for Asia: Digital Asia Accelerator, implemented by DAI’s Digital Frontiers.
As one of the fastest growing regions, the Indo-Pacific provides significant opportunities for businesses and citizens to participate in the digital economy. However, the region’s rapid digital transformation means that people and businesses without internet access or the necessary digital skills are being left behind from this new economic reality. Cyber attacks, combined with low awareness of cybersecurity issues, are a growing threat to the digital safety of citizens and businesses.
To respond to this need, USAID/RDMA developed the Digital Asia Accelerator (DAA). Implemented by DAI’s Digital Frontiers and part of the Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership (DCCP), DAA used three main approaches to reach key audiences in Southeast Asia and Mongolia. These approaches included working with partners like Microsoft and WhatsApp for Business to provide targeted digital upskilling and cybersecurity support through training and coaching, creating opportunities for the MSME community to learn about digital policies that would affect their businesses to help them effectively engage policymakers on these issues, and partnering with artists, local media, and companies like Meta to develop creative communication campaigns to raise awareness and build capacity among citizens to employ key cybersecurity practices and hygiene.
One specific project was a Mongolian-based contest, “Only Mine,” aimed to raise awareness of cybersecurity. The contest partnered with Love Frankie, a social impact agency, and Viral Partners, a marketing and advertising firm to design and implement the campaign, which reached nearly 3 million Mongolians online. The dance contest winners, Tamir and Byamba, choreographed and filmed a video to the contest’s theme song, with lyrics centered on cybersecurity education. After the video won, its viral presence online helped push cybersecurity awareness and education across different cities and communities of Mongolia.
When asked how they utilized the dance as a story-telling opportunity, Byamba shared, “We wanted to help others realize that this is an invasion of personal space.”
The Accelerator’s ability to convene large-scale policy forums with leaders from participating countries, combined with an emphasis on youth engagement through informative educational content hosted on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, allowed the project to reach an expansive and diverse set of stakeholders.
Photo Credit: Khasar Steppe for USAID
Khasar_S_Tamir&Byamba_LeavingDanceStudio_LastOneDanceStudio_Ulaanbaatar_Mongolia_A7401620
In an effort to align with the USAID Digital Strategy and recognize USAID Missions, Bureaus and partners that are empowering countries in a digital age, USAID launched the 2022 Digital Development Awards (the Digis), the fourth round of these awards. The Digis recognize and celebrate USAID-funded projects and activities that use digital technology to sustain open, secure, and inclusive digital ecosystems in order to improve measurable development and humanitarian-assistance outcomes. After receiving nearly 200 applications from USAID Missions around the world, five winners were selected for the 2022 Digital Development Awards, including USAID/Regional Development Mission for Asia: Digital Asia Accelerator, implemented by DAI’s Digital Frontiers.
As one of the fastest growing regions, the Indo-Pacific provides significant opportunities for businesses and citizens to participate in the digital economy. However, the region’s rapid digital transformation means that people and businesses without internet access or the necessary digital skills are being left behind from this new economic reality. Cyber attacks, combined with low awareness of cybersecurity issues, are a growing threat to the digital safety of citizens and businesses.
To respond to this need, USAID/RDMA developed the Digital Asia Accelerator (DAA). Implemented by DAI’s Digital Frontiers and part of the Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership (DCCP), DAA used three main approaches to reach key audiences in Southeast Asia and Mongolia. These approaches included working with partners like Microsoft and WhatsApp for Business to provide targeted digital upskilling and cybersecurity support through training and coaching, creating opportunities for the MSME community to learn about digital policies that would affect their businesses to help them effectively engage policymakers on these issues, and partnering with artists, local media, and companies like Meta to develop creative communication campaigns to raise awareness and build capacity among citizens to employ key cybersecurity practices and hygiene.
One specific project was a Mongolian-based contest, “Only Mine,” aimed to raise awareness of cybersecurity. The contest partnered with Love Frankie, a social impact agency, and Viral Partners, a marketing and advertising firm to design and implement the campaign, which reached nearly 3 million Mongolians online. The dance contest winners, Tamir and Byamba, choreographed and filmed a video to the contest’s theme song, with lyrics centered on cybersecurity education. After the video won, its viral presence online helped push cybersecurity awareness and education across different cities and communities of Mongolia.
When asked how they utilized the dance as a story-telling opportunity, Byamba shared, “We wanted to help others realize that this is an invasion of personal space.”
The Accelerator’s ability to convene large-scale policy forums with leaders from participating countries, combined with an emphasis on youth engagement through informative educational content hosted on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, allowed the project to reach an expansive and diverse set of stakeholders.
Photo Credit: Khasar Steppe for USAID