Call for Applications: CivicHive CivicTech Fellowship Program 2026
Nigeria is home to one of the world’s fastest-growing youth populations. In this context, civic technology has emerged as a powerful driver of social change—leveraging both digital and non-digital tools to bridge gaps between governments and citizens, expand civic spaces, and strengthen democratic participation.
Today, civic tech innovations play a vital role in advancing public participation, transparency, accountability, climate resilience, justice reform, and efficient public service delivery.
The CivicHive Civic Tech Fellowship was established to identify, nurture, and support the next generation of civic tech leaders working to address these pressing challenges.
The fellowship is an incubation programme designed to support early-stage civic tech ideas and solutions. Applications are welcomed at all stages and scales—from local and hyperlocal initiatives to regional platforms.
We also encourage diverse applications of technology, including radio, SMS, print media, artificial intelligence, and social media.
Our selection process prioritises ideas with a clear and measurable impact on people and civic spaces, strong potential for sustainability and long-term public value, and applicants who demonstrate commitment, resilience, and a compelling vision for positive change.
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Thematic Areas
Artificial Intelligence for Good: Civic tech solutions that responsibly use AI to address social challenges, strengthen accountability, mitigate bias and harm, and promote transparent, inclusive, and effective governance of AI systems.
Low-Cost Climate Tech Solutions: Affordable, technology-driven innovations that support climate adaptation, agriculture, environmental management, food security, and community resilience—especially in local and resource-constrained settings.
Technology for Social Good (Health, Education, and Justice): Innovations that improve access to essential public services, protect rights, close service delivery gaps, and empower citizens to demand accountability and equitable outcomes.
Advocacy and Social Movements: Tools and platforms that strengthen advocacy, civic organising, collective action, and citizen-led movements, particularly in shrinking civic spaces or contexts affected by repression and exclusion.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants to the CivicHive Civic Tech Fellowship must:
- Be citizens or residents of any West African country
- Apply as individuals or teams working on a civic tech idea or solution
- Have tested their idea or operated the solution for 1–3 years
- Align their solution with one or more of the fellowship’s thematic areas
- Demonstrate a strong public-interest or social impact focus, particularly in strengthening civic space, accountability, participation, or service delivery
- Be available to fully participate throughout the fellowship duration
- Be open to mentorship, peer learning, iteration, and collaboration within a regional civic tech ecosystem
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Application Timeline
- January 23, 2026: Applications open
- February 11, 2026: Applications close
- February 23, 2026: Fellows announced
- March 3 – June 30, 2026: Fellowship programme
- March 31 – April 16, 2026: Lab sessions
- July 23, 2026: Demo Day
