Keseb Democracy Innovation Lab 2026 ($10,000 in seed funding) – YOA

Deadline: January 16, 2026

Applications are open for the Keseb Democracy Innovation Lab 2026. Keseb’s Democracy Innovation Lab catalyzes promising early-stage improvements reimagining the constructing blocks of democracy. The theme of the inaugural iLab is “reimagining community-building for inclusive and resilient democracies.” They are in search of to pick out and assist 10 revolutionary group-constructing options that intention to foster cross-group belonging in numerous societies.

iLab Theme: Reimagining Community-building for Inclusive and Resilient Democracies

Studies present that people with a robust sense of belonging usually tend to decide to democratic ideas and contribute to democratic resilience. Fostering cross-group belonging and inclusivity is especially essential in numerous democracies however is usually a difficult endeavor that requires steady adaptation and innovation. This problem is additional compounded when the very foundations which have outlined right this moment’s democracies aren’t solely contested but additionally in want of re-envisioning.

In this context, imaginative and futures-oriented group-constructing options generally is a highly effective lever for addressing the seismic shifts of ailing democracies whereas nurturing the democracies of tomorrow. This shouldn’t be merely a conceptual train however a sensible mandate for professional-democracy champions to architect extra inclusive and vibrant democratic futures.

Benefits

• 8-month capability-constructing programming in future visioning, innovation improvement, and lengthy-time period planning, delivered nearly and in individual
• Sessions with main futures-considering and foresight specialists
• Individualized assist from the Keseb group and topic-matter specialists
• Peer-to-peer change in a transnational group of numerous innovators
• OPPORTUNITY to develop world innovation ideas for group-constructing that shall be shared with the professional-democracy subject
• USD $10,000 in seed funding for every challenge on the conclusion of the iLab
• An invitation to affix the Keseb Community for ongoing transnational engagement and collaboration with peer Innovators and Keseb Democracy Fellows

Eligibility

• Keseb welcomes innovators from numerous backgrounds and disciplines who’re obsessed with advancing democracy via artistic, group-centered options. You is perhaps a:
  • Democracy practitioner
  • Grassroots activist
  • Journalist or storyteller
  • Organizer
  • Researcher or tutorial
  • Technologist
  • Artist
• Project is targeted on the theme of “Reimagining community-building for inclusive and resilient democracies”
• The challenge is an early-stage, a nonpartisan, and a not-for-revenue resolution that meets one of many following classifications:
  • Idea stage: The challenge has been designed however has not been carried out.
  • Pilot/implementation stage: The challenge is presently being piloted, or is in the method of implementation, and is lower than 2 years outdated.
  • Post-pilot redesign stage: Project has been in existence for greater than 2 years however is both being relaunched or is taking up a brand new strategic path to pilot a brand new innovation.
• Project Lead is dedicated to – and presently spends a significant period of time on – the challenge
• Project Lead is ready to take part in digital and in-person Lab gatherings
• Project Lead is sufficiently proficient in English to have the ability to take part in an English-conducted Lab. Project Lead is predicted to have the ability to learn, perceive, and converse in English with confidence. Full fluency shouldn’t be required.

Application

For extra info, go to Keseb Democracy Innovation Lab.