CivicHive Civic Tech Fellowship for Early-stage Civic Innovators

Job Description

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Applications are now open for the Civic Tech Fellowship 2026 organised by CivicHive. This incubation-focused fellowship is designed to support early-stage civic technology ideas that address real social challenges across West Africa. The programme welcomes solutions at any stage and scale, from community-based initiatives to regional platforms, and encourages creative use of technology including radio, SMS, print, artificial intelligence, and social media.

The fellowship is ideal for innovators, technologists, advocates, and civic-minded teams building solutions that strengthen accountability, participation, and access to essential public services.

Fellowship Focus Areas

The Civic Tech Fellowship 2026 supports ideas and solutions aligned with one or more of the following thematic areas:

Artificial Intelligence for Good

Civic tech solutions that use AI responsibly to address social challenges, strengthen accountability, reduce bias and harm, and promote transparent and inclusive governance of AI systems.

Low-Cost Climate Tech Solutions

Affordable, technology-driven solutions focused on climate adaptation, agriculture, environmental management, food security, and community resilience, especially in local and resource-constrained environments.

Technology for Social Good

Innovations that improve access to public services in health, education, and justice, protect rights, close service delivery gaps, and empower citizens to demand accountability and fairness.

Advocacy and Social Movements

Tools and platforms that strengthen civic organising, advocacy, collective action, and citizen-led movements, particularly in contexts with shrinking civic space or social exclusion.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants for the Civic Tech Fellowship 2026 must meet the following requirements:

• Be citizens or residents of any West African country
• Apply as individuals or teams working on a civic tech idea or solution
• Have tested the idea or been in operation for 1 to 3 years
• Present a solution aligned with at least one fellowship thematic area
• Demonstrate a clear public-interest or social impact focus
• Show commitment to strengthening civic space, accountability, participation, or service delivery
• Be available to fully participate throughout the fellowship duration
• Be open to mentorship, peer learning, collaboration, and iteration

Fellowship Benefits

The programme will incubate 15 civic tech solutions across West Africa. Selected fellows will receive:

• Technical, product, and legal support
• Mentorship from experienced civic tech leaders
• Access to a regional civic tech ecosystem and network
• Monthly stipend throughout the fellowship period
• Support to prepare solutions for launch and early-stage scaling
• Fully funded trip to attend the 2026 West Africa Civic Tech Conference

Application Timeline

• January 23, 2026: Applications open
• February 11, 2026: Applications close
• February 23, 2026: Fellows announced
• March 3 – June 30, 2026: Fellowship programme duration
• March 31 – April 16, 2026: Lab sessions
• July 23, 2026: Demo Day

The Civic Tech Fellowship 2026 offers a unique opportunity to refine impactful ideas, access expert mentorship, and join a growing network of civic innovators working to create meaningful change across West Africa.