Scenius Hub: A Catalyst for Creative Entrepreneurship and Cultural Innovation

Scenius Hub is a vibrant youth development hub in Juba, South Sudan.  This dynamic space fosters an environment that cultivates entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation amongst a diverse membership exceeding 600 individuals. Recognizing the immense potential within South Sudan’s young population, Scenius Hub empowers them to become agents of positive change and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s socio-economic and political betterment.

Mission:
Scenius Hub ignites intellectual and creative expression in writing, arts, culture, and tradition. We empower young minds to become cultural entrepreneurs, fostering a bridge between their heritage and future possibilities.
Vision:
Scenius Hub envisions a dynamic ecosystem where individuals and communities can

• Realize their dreams:

• Thrive through Creative Entrepreneurship: We provide resources and support to help young people transform their creative talents into sustainable businesses.

• Embrace Innovation in the Arts: We champion artistic exploration through workshops, events, and collaborative spaces, fostering the birth of groundbreaking artistic expressions.

• Cultivate a Supportive Business Environment: We connect young creatives with mentors, investors, and business support networks to help them navigate the entrepreneurial journey.

• Engage in Cultural Exchange: Scenius Hub becomes a platform for vibrant intellectual discourse, where diverse perspectives enrich understanding of shared history and traditions.

​

Scenius Hub aspires to be more than just a space for artistic exploration. We aim to be a launchpad for young creative entrepreneurs, fostering innovation and cultural exchange within our community.
Here's what sets us apart:

​

• Entrepreneurial Focus: We equip young creatives with the skills and resources to turn their passion into a viable business.

• Innovation Hub: We encourage experimentation and the exploration of new artistic frontiers.

• Business Support Network: We connect aspiring creative entrepreneurs with the guidance and resources they need to succeed.

• Cultural Bridge: We celebrate heritage while embracing modern interpretations, fostering a deeper understanding of our collective past.

​

Join us at Scenius Hub, where creativity meets opportunity!
What we believe in

• Community & Ownership: Scenius is nothing without our members, the community that uses the space & makes it their work and creative home in Juba. We strive to ensure our members know & feel that Scenius is theirs, and our collective effort will make it thrive as a space.

• Creating Opportunities: We believe in the potential of young people in South Sudan, and often, it is only a lack of opportunity and resources that limits their success. We want to use our space to empower them, open doors, and build young entrepreneurs.

• Inspiration & Creativity: When you enter Scenius, we want you to feel inspired and ready to tap into your creative genius. We want to nurture innovation and break
  barriers together as members.

• Safety & Affordability: We believe in creating space for young people that is both safe and affordable. Being accessible to our members is a key part of our vision.

• Sustainability We strive to ensure that all we do is environmentally, economically and socially sustainable

  We are building things to last, both people and the outputs they
  are creating

 
Cultivating a Generation of Leaders:
Scenius Hub provides a comprehensive approach to youth development, focusing on key areas:

• Entrepreneurship Development:  The hub acts as a launchpad for aspiring entrepreneurs, offering crucial resources such as mentorship programs, training workshops, and connections to potential investors.  Young business leaders receive guidance in developing sound business plans, securing funding, and effectively marketing their ventures. This fosters a culture of self-reliance and empowers them to create sustainable livelihoods, contributing to South Sudan’s economic diversification and job creation.

• Fostering Creativity and Innovation:  Recognizing the power of creativity, Scenius Hub provides a platform for young artists, musicians, and storytellers to showcase their talents and collaborate with peers. This fosters a vibrant cultural scene, enriching South Sudan’s cultural landscape and empowering young minds to express themselves freely.  Design thinking workshops and hackathons encourage innovation, allowing young people to tackle real-world challenges with fresh perspectives and ingenious solutions.

• Digital Literacy and Media Engagement:  In today’s digital age, Scenius Hub equips young people with the knowledge and tools needed to thrive online. They offer web development, social media marketing, and content creation training programs. This empowers youth to participate actively in the global digital economy, access valuable educational resources online, and contribute to South Sudan’s digital development. Additionally, the hub recognizes the vital role of young journalists and influencers in shaping public discourse; by providing support and training, Scenius Hub empowers them to become responsible agents of positive change and hold authorities accountable.

• Socio-Economic Empowerment:  Scenius Hub understands the interconnectedness of socio-economic well-being and youth development. They offer programs and resources that address South Sudanese youth’s specific challenges. This might include workshops on financial literacy, mental health awareness, or leadership development. By equipping them with essential skills and addressing their social needs, Scenius Hub empowers young people to become well-rounded individuals and active participants in shaping their communities.

• Championing Youth Advocacy: Scenius Hub’s commitment extends beyond its physical walls. It actively champions the “Youth Agenda in South Sudan,” ensuring the voices and needs of young people are heard at the national level. This includes advocating for policies that promote youth employment, education, and participation in the political process.

By fostering a space for collaboration, innovation, and empowerment, Scenius Hub catalyzes progress.  Their dedication to youth development cultivates a generation of leaders capable of steering South Sudan towards a brighter, more prosperous future.
The origin of the word  Scenius
 
There’s a common myth that genius is only produced and achieved in isolation. This is commonly referred to as the “Great Man Theory”, that innovation in art and culture only comes from great men working in solitude.
Brian Eno, musician, producer, and inventor of the term “Scenius”, describes Scenius as similar to genius except embedded in a scene rather than in genes.
The geography of Scenius has several important factors:

• Firstly, there is mutual appreciation, which is like motivational peer pressure.

• Secondly, there is a rapid exchange of tools and techniques. As soon as something is invented, it’s widely shared among everyone within the scenius, who is united by a common language.

• Thirdly, there are the network effects of success, which means whenever there is a success, it’s celebrated by everyone within the scenius.

• Fourthly, within the scenius there is a local tolerance for the novelties, which means that renegade, maverick, unusual, and revolutionary ideas are protected from tampering by a buffer zone. Scenius, in other words, is a flourishing space for nonconformity.

According to an article in The Technium, the history of art and science is full of different Sceniuses. Some notable examples include the Algonquin Round Table, the Bloomsbury Group, and the Inklings in Oxford in the literary scene, 1920s Paris, the lofts of Soho, NYC, and Burning Man in the artistic scene, and the Lunar Society in England, Building 20 at MIT, and Silicon Valley in the scientific and technological scene. Scenius, according to The Technium, can appear anywhere in any scale and form. Read more here