📝 SayPro Professionals Competition
📌 Stage: Initial Draft Proposal Submission for Feedback
Objective: To guide participants in improving their projects through expert, structured, and personalized feedback before final submission.
🎯 Purpose of the Initial Draft Submission
The goal of this stage is to:
- Help participants refine their ideas and structure
- Ensure the proposal aligns with SayPro’s competition criteria
- Identify weaknesses or missing components early
- Improve clarity, scientific justification, and presentation quality
- Boost participants’ chances of advancing to the finalist round
This aligns with SayPro’s mission to not only evaluate innovations, but also mentor and develop professional capacity in Africa.
🗓️ Key Dates for Draft Submission Phase
| Activity | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Draft Proposal Submission Opens | 15 July 2025 |
| Draft Submission Deadline | 5 August 2025 |
| Reviewer Feedback Returned | By 15 August 2025 |
| Final Proposal Deadline | 30 August 2025 |
📄 What Should the Initial Draft Include?
Participants are encouraged to submit a structured draft of the full proposal that includes:
✅ 1. Working Title
Descriptive, focused, and reflecting the core innovation.
✅ 2. Abstract (100–200 words)
Summary of the problem, scientific method, and proposed solution.
✅ 3. Background and Problem Statement
Explanation of the real-world issue, backed by data or research.
✅ 4. Proposed Solution
Description of the innovation, product, or method used to solve the problem.
✅ 5. Scientific Basis or Methodology
Details of how the project applies research, science, or technical expertise.
✅ 6. Expected Outcomes
What change, result, or impact the project aims to produce.
✅ 7. Prototype or MVP Description
Summary of the current status of the product (can be text + links/screenshots).
📄 Optional:
- Budget estimates
- Early results (if tested)
- Technical diagrams or charts
- References
📝 Format: Word (.doc/.docx) or PDF
📥 File Name: SayPro_DraftProposal_ProjectName_YourName.pdf
🌐 How to Submit Your Draft Proposal
🔹 Step 1: Log into SayPro Portal
Go to www.saypro.org.za/professionals
Click: My Dashboard → Submit Draft Proposal
🔹 Step 2: Upload Document
Complete the online form with:
- Project title
- Sector/Field
- Draft abstract
- Upload your draft proposal document
- Add any notes or questions you want addressed by reviewers
🔹 Step 3: Confirm Submission
You will receive a submission confirmation email with a unique Draft ID.
🧑🏫 How Feedback Will Be Provided
Each draft is reviewed by a SayPro Review Mentor — a professional or academic in your field.
Reviewers will give feedback on:
- Clarity and structure
- Innovation and relevance
- Scientific and technical depth
- Feasibility and execution
- Recommendations for improvement
Feedback will be sent as:
- A marked-up copy of your proposal (comments + notes)
- A structured review form (ratings and suggestions)
- Optional short video/audio feedback for selected proposals
🛠️ Support Provided by SayPro
To help you revise your proposal, SayPro provides:
- 📘 Draft Proposal Template (Word and PDF)
- 📄 Sample Proposals from Previous Winners
- 🎥 Recorded Training: How to Write an Impactful Innovation Proposal
- 🧑💻 Office Hours: 1-on-1 virtual mentoring sessions (by request)
- 💬 Peer Review Groups (optional discussion circles)
📣 Important Guidelines
✅ The draft is not scored — it is for improvement only
✅ Submitting a draft is highly recommended but not mandatory
✅ You may submit one revised final proposal after feedback
✅ You retain full intellectual property over your work
✅ Benefits of Submitting a Draft
- Higher proposal quality = better chance of advancing
- Personalized expert input tailored to your project
- Reduced risk of disqualification due to missing elements
- Learn proposal writing as a professional skill
- Direct access to SayPro’s network of mentors and evaluators
🧾 After Receiving Feedback
You will:
- Receive your feedback by 15 August 2025
- Use it to revise your final submission
- Upload your polished final proposal by 30 August 2025
Finalists will be selected based on final submissions, not drafts.
📩 For Questions and Help
- Email: professionals@saypro.org.za
- Phone: +27 (0) 11 123 4567
- WhatsApp Helpdesk: +27 71 123 4567
- Live Chat on SayPro website (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm SAST)
🎯 Summary
| Action | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Submit Draft Proposal | By 5 August 2025 |
| Receive Feedback | By 15 August 2025 |
| Submit Final Proposal | By 30 August 2025 |
Would you like:
- A draft proposal template (Word or PDF)?
- A feedback rubric used by SayPro reviewers?
- Help packaging your draft into a reviewer-ready format?
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