Apply for CivicHive Civic Tech Fellowship Programme

Deadline: 11-Feb-2026

The CivicHive Civic Tech Fellowship identifies and supports emerging civic tech leaders across West Africa. Fellows work on solutions that responsibly use technology to strengthen civic spaces, improve access to services, and drive public impact. The programme offers mentorship, technical support, funding, and opportunities for regional networking and early scaling of tested solutions.

Overview of the Fellowship

The CivicHive Civic Tech Fellowship supports innovators developing civic tech solutions that address pressing social, civic, and environmental challenges. Solutions may:

• Responsibly use artificial intelligence

• Deliver affordable climate innovations

• Improve access to health, education, and justice services

• Strengthen advocacy, civic organizing, and citizen-led movements, especially in challenging civic environments

The fellowship welcomes ideas at any stage and scale, from local and hyperlocal initiatives to regional platforms, and encourages diverse technological approaches such as radio, SMS, print, social media, and AI applications. Selection prioritizes solutions with:

• Clear impact on people and civic spaces

• Strong potential for sustainability and long-term public value

• Participants demonstrating commitment, resilience, and a compelling vision for change

Who is Eligible?

• Citizens or residents of West African countries

• Individuals or teams working on civic tech solutions that have been tested or operational for 1–3 years

• Proposed solutions must align with at least one thematic area of the fellowship

• Focus must demonstrate public-interest or social impact, particularly in:

  • Strengthening civic space

  • Accountability and transparency

  • Citizen participation

  • Service delivery

• Participants must commit to full programme participation, mentorship, peer learning, and collaboration within the regional civic tech ecosystem

Why It Matters

The fellowship empowers civic tech innovators to:

• Address systemic social and civic challenges using technology

• Expand access to critical services and public information

• Build resilient, sustainable civic tech solutions with measurable impact

• Engage in a regional network of civic tech leaders, enhancing collaboration and knowledge sharing

• Gain mentorship and guidance to scale tested solutions to broader audiences

Fellowship Benefits

Selected fellows receive:

• Technical, product, and legal support

• Mentorship from experienced civic tech leaders

• Access to a regional civic tech network

• Monthly stipend throughout the programme

• Support to prepare solutions for launch and early scaling

• Paid trip to attend the 2026 West Africa Civic Tech Conference

How to Apply / Programme Timeline

1. Eligibility Check – Ensure citizenship/residency in a West African country and operational or tested solution (1–3 years).

2. Submit Application – Apply individually or as a team, highlighting thematic alignment and public impact.

3. Selection Process – Focus on impact, sustainability, and participant commitment.

4. Programme Duration – March 3 to June 30, 2026, including lab sessions from March 31 to April 16.

5. Demo Day – Concludes with presentations of fellows’ solutions on July 23, 2026.

Key Dates:

• Applications Close: February 11, 2026

• Fellows Announced: February 23, 2026

• Programme Runs: March 3 – June 30, 2026

• Lab Sessions: March 31 – April 16, 2026

• Demo Day: July 23, 2026

Common Mistakes and Tips

• Ensure your solution aligns with at least one thematic area

• Demonstrate clear public interest and social impact

• Confirm team availability for the full programme duration

• Highlight evidence of tested or operational solution (1–3 years)

• Be open to mentorship, iteration, and collaboration

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who can apply for the fellowship? Citizens or residents of West African countries with tested civic tech solutions, individually or as a team.
2. Can solutions be at any stage of development? Yes, both early-stage and operational solutions are welcome.
3. What technologies are eligible? Radio, SMS, print, AI, social media, and other civic tech tools.
4. What support do fellows receive? Technical, legal, and product support, mentorship, stipend, regional networking, and support for early scaling.
5. Is participation mandatory for the entire programme? Yes, full availability is required.
6. When are lab sessions scheduled? March 31 to April 16, 2026.
7. When and where is the demo day? July 23, 2026, as the programme’s final showcase.

Conclusion

The CivicHive Civic Tech Fellowship is a premier opportunity for West African innovators to transform civic engagement using technology. With mentorship, technical support, funding, and a regional network, fellows gain the resources and guidance to scale impactful solutions that strengthen civic spaces, improve service delivery, and foster citizen-led change across the region.

For more information, visit Civichive.