Call for Applications: Sub-Saharan Africa Litigation Surgery Program

The Sub-Saharan Africa Litigation Surgery Program 2026 is a fully funded workshop for lawyers in Sub-Saharan Africa who work on strategic human rights litigation. Organized by Media Defence, The Kennedy Human Rights Center, and Vuka, the program will take place in Nairobi, Kenya, from 2–4 October 2026 and equips participants with practical skills to litigate cases involving freedom of expression, digital rights, human rights defenders, and related issues.

Sub-Saharan Africa Litigation Surgery Program 2026

The Sub-Saharan Africa Litigation Surgery Program 2026 is a specialized training workshop designed for qualified lawyers working on human rights cases across Sub-Saharan Africa.

The program brings together legal practitioners to strengthen their expertise in strategic litigation, enhance case preparation, and improve the use of national, regional, and international human rights mechanisms. Participants will also build professional networks with lawyers and experts working to protect fundamental rights across the region.

The initiative is jointly organized by Media Defence, The Kennedy Human Rights Center, and Vuka.

Program Overview

The Litigation Surgery Program aims to:

Strengthen strategic litigation skills.
Improve legal advocacy for human rights protection.
Build expertise in national, regional, and international legal frameworks.
Support collaboration among human rights lawyers.
Promote the protection of freedom of expression and other fundamental rights.

Only 15 participants will be selected for the 2026 program.

Program Dates and Location

The in-person workshop will take place:

Dates: 2–4 October 2026
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Format: In-person
Participants: Maximum of 15 lawyers

Focus Areas

Applicants should have experience or interest in one or more of the following areas:

Freedom of expression
Freedom of assembly
Freedom of association
Protection of human rights defenders
Digital rights
Internet freedom
Online privacy
Spyware and unlawful surveillance
Defamation
Violence against journalists
Restrictions on online media
Restrictions on print media
National security laws affecting freedom of expression
Legal and regulatory measures affecting human rights defenders
Strategic human rights litigation

What Participants Will Learn

The Litigation Surgery combines expert instruction with practical case discussions.

Participants will learn how to:

Develop effective litigation strategies.
Strengthen legal case preparation.
Apply strategic litigation techniques.
Use domestic, regional, and international legal mechanisms.
Navigate human rights legal frameworks.
Present stronger legal arguments.
Collaborate with experienced human rights lawyers.
Address emerging threats to civic space and digital rights.

The program also includes:

Expert-led workshops
Peer learning sessions
Case-based discussions
Networking opportunities
Collaborative problem-solving exercises

Benefits of the Program

Successful participants will receive:

Advanced training in strategic human rights litigation.
Opportunities to discuss cases with experienced legal experts.
Access to a regional network of human rights lawyers.
Exposure to international and regional human rights mechanisms.
Professional collaboration opportunities.
Practical guidance on challenging human rights violations through litigation.

Financial Support

The program is fully funded for selected participants.

Media Defence will cover:

Return international airfare between the participant’s home country and Nairobi.
Accommodation for the day before and throughout the workshop.
Local travel expenses related to the program.
Airport transportation where applicable.
Visa fee reimbursement.
Daily allowance (per diem) for travel days and the duration of the workshop and conference.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must:

Be qualified lawyers.
Currently live in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Be professionally working in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Have working proficiency in English.
Work in private legal practice or with a non-governmental organization (NGO).
Be involved in promoting human rights through litigation.

Preferred Applicant Profile

Strong applicants will demonstrate:

Experience in human rights litigation.
Knowledge of freedom of expression or digital rights.
Experience with freedom of assembly and association cases.
Understanding of international human rights law.
Familiarity with regional human rights mechanisms.
Commitment to protecting civic freedoms.
Interest in strategic litigation as a tool for social change.

Applicants without extensive experience in every focus area may still be considered if they demonstrate a strong commitment to human rights work.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit:

A completed application.
A case study related to human rights litigation.

The case study should involve one of the following:

Freedom of expression
Freedom of assembly
Freedom of association
Human rights defenders
Digital rights
Internet freedom
Related human rights issues

The case may be:

An ongoing litigation matter, or
A proposed legal challenge to an existing law, policy, or practice.

The case study helps assess the applicant’s legal reasoning, strategic approach, and commitment to human rights advocacy.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should follow these steps:

Review the eligibility criteria carefully.
Prepare a relevant human rights case study.
Complete the official application form.
Demonstrate your litigation experience and interest in strategic human rights work.
Highlight your knowledge of domestic and international human rights law.
Submit the application before the official deadline.

Why This Program Matters

Strategic litigation plays a critical role in protecting fundamental rights and strengthening democratic institutions.

The Sub-Saharan Africa Litigation Surgery Program helps lawyers develop the expertise needed to:

Challenge unlawful restrictions on human rights.
Defend journalists and media freedom.
Protect human rights defenders.
Strengthen digital rights protections.
Improve access to justice.
Promote accountability through the courts.
Advance legal reforms across Sub-Saharan Africa.

The program also creates a lasting network of legal professionals working together to address shared human rights challenges.

Tips for a Strong Application

To strengthen your application:

Submit a well-structured and relevant case study.
Demonstrate practical litigation experience.
Explain your commitment to human rights advocacy.
Highlight experience with regional or international legal mechanisms.
Show how participating in the workshop will strengthen your legal work.
Clearly describe the impact of your litigation efforts.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common errors:

Submitting an incomplete application.
Providing a case study unrelated to the program’s focus areas.
Failing to explain your role in the litigation.
Not demonstrating knowledge of strategic litigation.
Ignoring the English proficiency requirement.
Waiting until the last minute to prepare supporting documents.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Sub-Saharan Africa Litigation Surgery Program?

It is a fully funded training workshop that helps lawyers strengthen their skills in strategic human rights litigation through expert-led learning, case discussions, and peer collaboration.

Who can apply?

Qualified lawyers who live and work in Sub-Saharan Africa and are engaged in human rights litigation through private practice or non-governmental organizations are eligible to apply.

When and where will the program take place?

The workshop will be held from 2–4 October 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya.

Is the program fully funded?

Yes. Selected participants receive funding for return airfare, accommodation, travel expenses, visa reimbursement, and daily allowances.

How many participants will be selected?

A maximum of 15 lawyers will participate in the program.

Is a case study required?

Yes. Applicants must submit a case study involving freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and association, human rights defenders, digital rights, or another related human rights issue.

Can lawyers with limited human rights litigation experience apply?

Yes. Lawyers without extensive experience in every focus area may still be considered if they demonstrate a strong commitment to working on human rights issues and strategic litigation.

Conclusion

The Sub-Saharan Africa Litigation Surgery Program 2026 offers an exceptional opportunity for lawyers committed to protecting human rights through strategic litigation. By combining expert training, practical case analysis, peer learning, and a fully funded experience in Nairobi, the program strengthens participants’ ability to use legal systems to defend freedom of expression, protect human rights defenders, promote digital rights, and advance justice across Sub-Saharan Africa.