Deadline: 10-Jul-25
A new funding opportunity has opened for young innovators across Africa who are passionate about improving electoral processes through technology. The Innovation Fund for Citizen Participation in Electoral Processes in Africa supports youth-led digital solutions designed to address local challenges around elections, transparency, and civic participation.
This initiative is part of broader efforts to promote digital democracy through the Digitalise Youth and AHEAD Africa projects, which aim to empower young people across 14 African countries to become key players in democratic processes. The fund specifically supports projects that use technology to boost civic engagement, especially among women and youth.
One of the fund’s primary goals is to encourage the emergence of civic tech—technological tools that enhance citizen engagement in public decision-making and democratic governance. By doing so, it helps create new communities committed to electoral transparency and participatory democracy.
The fund will support projects in four main areas. The first area focuses on electoral civic technologies, encouraging the development of open-source tools, AI integration, mobile apps, or blockchain solutions to strengthen electoral integrity. The second area supports citizen engagement and participation, promoting youth and women’s involvement in civic education, electoral monitoring, and mobilization through digital platforms.
A third priority is media and electoral information, with funding for initiatives that promote reliable election news, fact-checking, and fight disinformation, including foreign interference. The fourth area focuses on improving the legal and institutional frameworks for elections by backing advocacy campaigns, legal tracking tools, and initiatives that monitor institutional reforms.
A total of €175,000 will be awarded, distributed among these four areas. The largest share—€70,000—is allocated to civic tech solutions. Other funds are divided between citizen engagement, media innovation, and legal frameworks. Projects must be implemented within a maximum of ten months.
The fund is open to youth aged 18 to 35 who are nationals or residents of any of the following countries: Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Senegal, Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Chad, Cameroon, Mauritania, Niger, Mali, and Togo.
Applicants must submit a complete proposal, including a filled-out application form, a project description (no more than 12 pages), a provisional budget, and CVs of 2–3 key team members. The proposal must clearly outline a theory of change and an implementation plan.
This fund offers a critical opportunity for young Africans to use their creativity, technical skills, and civic passion to strengthen electoral processes and shape the future of democracy on the continent.
For more information, visit AfricTivistes.
