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Stories, Lived Experiences & Imaginaries in India, Senegal, South Africa & Sweden
At the heart of GrowZA’s mission is a commitment to addressing the challenges and opportunities of our interconnected world through collaboration, insight, and innovation. This ethos comes alive in the organization’s Think Tank methodology, which serves as a dynamic framework for tackling complex global issues with localized solutions. By prioritizing lived experiences and collaborative problem-solving, GrowZA’s think tank model creates actionable pathways for social progress.
This methodology is exemplified in the groundbreaking research initiative with the working title, "(Re)skilling for Work in a Global, Mobile & Connected World." This project explores how individuals across India, Senegal, South Africa, and Sweden navigate and innovate within shifting labor ecosystems. The goal is to uncover practical solutions that empower workers to thrive in the global economy.
Craig’s visit to India, alongside esteemed colleagues from Malmö University, Central University of Haryana, the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, and local partners, marked a significant step in this initiative and follows a similar visit to Sweden in August of this year. This research planning phase underscores GrowZA’s commitment to fostering cross-border knowledge sharing and leveraging diverse perspectives to address global challenges.
Exploring India's Work Landscape: Connections Between Local and Global
India’s role as a hub of digital work is undeniable. From the tech campuses of Gurgaon to the grassroots initiatives aimed at empowering migrant workers, the country epitomizes the dualities of a connected world. On one hand, India’s IT sector powers global operations, while on the other, marginalized communities support this growth from the shadows.
During the visit, the team collaborated with the All India Citizens' Alliance for Progress & Development (AICAPD), whose Mobile Innovation School addresses the challenges faced by children of migrant laborers. Their innovative approach—providing mobile, solar-powered education—ensures continuity for children living nomadic lives, thereby bridging gaps in access and opportunity.
This context underscores the interplay between global aspirations and hyper-local realities, a recurring theme across all four countries in the study.
Learning Across Borders: Key Themes Emerging from the Research
As we advance in this project, several interconnected themes are emerging:
Future Imaginaries: How do individuals in precarious work settings envision their futures in a digitally driven, global economy?
Agency in Action: Despite systemic barriers, individuals are actively shaping their work trajectories, showcasing resilience and innovation.
Technological Practices: From app-based platforms in Sweden to cybersecurity training in South Africa, localized tech practices reveal diverse pathways to digital inclusion.
Global & Local Dynamics: The research highlights how local realities shape, and are shaped by, global forces—be it labor migration, digital skilling, or gig work platforms.
Why This Research Matters
By listening to the stories of individuals navigating work in these diverse contexts, we challenge dominant narratives about digital labor and economic mobility. These voices provide nuanced insights into the complexities of work, skill-building, and aspirations in a globalized world.
For instance, in India, we saw firsthand how grassroots education initiatives are equipping children with the tools to break cycles of poverty. In South Africa, the Absa Cybersecurity Academy in partnersjip with the Maharishi Institute highlights how targeted skilling programs can address both local unemployment and global talent shortages. In Senegal and Sweden, innovative models like Dynava and BuddyCompany reveal the potential—and challenges—of cross-border labour practices.
Toward Fair and Decent Work Futures
As we continue this collaborative journey, the focus remains on driving actionable insights. How can the findings from this research inform policies and programs that promote fair and decent work? How can we build global frameworks that support local empowerment?
Through ongoing partnerships, including those with AICAPD in India and the Cybersecurity Academy in South Africa, GrowZA remains committed to creating meaningful pathways for individuals in a connected, mobile world.
This work is about opening doors, building connections, and creating real opportunities for people who’ve been left out of the story for too long. In South Africa, where unemployment is a daily reality for so many, the insights from this research holds the power to shift the narrative. It’s about more than jobs—it’s about self-worth, agency, and the chance to step into something bigger than yourself.
Through partnerships like the Absa Cybersecurity Academy and collaborations with BRICS nations like India, we’re showing what’s possible when you bring global ideas into local realities. South Africa isn’t just following—it’s leading, carving out its own path in the BRICS conversation. The connection with India’s tech-driven grassroots efforts, Senegal’s cross-border work, and Sweden’s innovation shows us the power of collective wisdom—learning from each other while staying rooted in what makes us unique.