Call for Grant Applications: The African Union Civic Tech Fund 2.0

The African Union Commission (AUC), with the support of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), is delighted to launch the second Grant Call for civic tech innovations in Africa. The Grant process is managed by continental partners, the Civic Tech Innovation Network (CTIN) and Ushahidi.

About the African Union Civic Tech Fund

The second round of the African Union Civic Tech Fund (AUCTF) presents an opportunity for dynamic African organizations, initiatives, and projects. This 12-month initiative seeks to catalyze and scale innovative civic tech solutions that harness the power of technology to drive citizen-led transformative action across the African continent. The Fund will support initiatives that visibly contribute towards Agenda 2063 — Africa’s blueprint and master plan to deliver on its goal for inclusive and sustainable development, transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future. The AUCTF is an expression of Aspiration 6 of Agenda 2063: “An Africa, whose development is people-driven, relying on the potential of African people, especially its women and youth, and caring for children. All the citizens of Africa will be actively involved in decision making in all aspects.”

Recognizing Citizen-Led Transformation

This competition underscores the pivotal role of meaningful citizen participation in addressing governance and development challenges in Africa. We believe that innovative civic tech initiatives can be powerful catalysts for transformation, contributing towards a truly citizen-driven development agenda, firmly rooted in the voices and the needs of Africans.

Who Should Apply

We invite visionary organizations, initiatives, and projects within African countries to apply for funding. If you are committed to leveraging technology for civic engagement, transparency, and community-driven initiatives, this call is tailored for you. Organisations and projects led by and addressing the challenges faced by women, youth and marginalised groups are encouraged to apply. Projects operating from diverse locations and contexts are also encouraged to apply, to ensure a balance of representation from north, east, west, central and southern Africa.

About the grant and the AUCTF process

Successful recipients of the grant call will receive up to €15000 in financial support to scale and accelerate their projects and initiatives. The AUCTF can support up to 15 organisations and initiatives. However, the selection committee reserves the right not to award all or envisaged grants. Upon receiving the funding, the second cohort will undergo capacity building and technical support, which includes training sessions to enhance digital literacy, promoting inclusivity and diversity in your initiatives; stakeholder engagement approaches and developing advocacy strategies to influence policy at a local level.

Why Apply

● Financial Support: Secure funding from the African Union Civic Tech Fund.

● Capacity Building: Access opportunities for skill development and enhancement.

● Building community: Peer-to-peer learning and becoming part of a network of civic-tech innovators from across the continent

● Visibility: Showcase your work within the vibrant civic tech community.

Application Focus Areas

Civic Engagement Transparency and Accountability — Community Driven Solutions Governance — Innovation and service delivery — Youth Empowerment — Gender Equality — Peacebuilding and security.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following main criteria to be considered:

1. Mission Alignment: — Demonstrate a clear alignment with the mission and objectives of the African Union 2063 Agenda; African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy; Civic Tech Innovation Network Accountability Framework; and adherence to the Principles for Digital Development embraced by Ushahidi — Focus on leveraging technology to enhance civic participation, transparency, and community development.
2. Innovation and Impact: — Showcase innovative and impactful approaches to address societal challenges. — Contribute to the goals of the AU’s digital transformation strategy with a clear potential for positive change.
3. Relevance and Need: — Address pressing needs within target regions. — Demonstrate a deep understanding of local contexts and challenges.
4. Feasibility and Sustainability: — Well-planned and feasible projects with a clear path to implementation, scalability, and long-term sustainability. — Explore partnerships and community engagement plans for lasting impact beyond the grant period.
5. Scalability and Demonstrated Impact: — Present evidence of previous implementation and impact of the proposed solution, showcasing scalability potential and effectiveness in addressing identified challenges. — Prioritize projects that have undergone testing or piloting phases and are now ready for scaling.
6. Collaboration and Partnership: — Demonstrate a commitment to collaboration and partnership-building, including engagement with relevant stakeholders such as government agencies, civil society organizations, and local communities. — Highlight existing or potential partnerships that strengthen the project’s impact and sustainability.
7. Capacity and Track Record: — Possess the organizational capacity and track record necessary to effectively manage and implement the proposed project, including financial management, monitoring, and evaluation capabilities. — Provide evidence of past achievements and successful project delivery, demonstrating the organization’s credibility and reliability.
8. Ethical Considerations: — Commit to upholding ethical standards and respecting human rights throughout project implementation, including data privacy, informed consent, and responsible use of technology. — Ensure that the project aligns with inclusivity, equity, and social justice principles, avoiding any potential harm or negative consequences to marginalized or vulnerable groups.

Key Information

Projects should align with the Civic Tech Fund’s mission and objectives, emphasizing technology’s role in enhancing civic participation, transparency, and community development. The competition is open to local organizations and projects operating and registered within African countries. Applications will be accepted in English and French. However, the workshop sessions and trainings will be delivered in English. The technical assistance and workshop sessions will be delivered online. Therefore, successful applicants should ensure they have access to a stable internet connection.

How to Apply

Visit this link to submit your groundbreaking civic tech initiative. Let’s work together to pioneer positive change across Africa.

Information session & Launch Event

Join us for a virtual information session and grant launch event on Fri, 12 April 2024 at 2pm (CAT), click here to register. Alternatively, catch the live stream of the information session on our YouTube channel here.

Application Deadline: 12 May 2024