African startups have been invited to apply for the Obama Foundation Fellowship programme, which seeks to support outstanding civic innovators from around the world in order to amplify the impact of their work and to inspire a wave of civic innovation.
The foundation, formed by former US President Barack Obama, is rolling out the fellowship programme as one of its main initiatives.
The Obama Foundation Fellows will be a diverse set of community-minded rising stars – organisers, inventors, artists, entrepreneurs, journalists, and more – who are altering the civic engagement landscape.
The two-year, non-residential Fellowship will offer hands-on training, resources, and leadership development, while Fellows will also participate in four multi-day gatherings where they will collaborate with each other, connect with potential partners, and collectively push their work forward.
Applications are open here until October, with successful applicants to be notified in February of next year prior to a first gathering in April.
The Obama Foundation is looking for individuals who are working to solve important public problems in creative and powerful ways.
“We are inspired by a broad vision of what it means to be “civic,” one that includes leaders tackling a range of issues, in both traditional and unconventional ways,” it said.
“We need people working from all angles and with different perspectives to strengthen our communities and civic life. This fellowship is for organisers, inventors, artists, entrepreneurs, journalists, and more. It is for those working within systems like governments or businesses, as well as those working outside of formal institutions.”
