Accountability Lab East and Southern Africa (ALESA) launches two new thematic incubators: the Digital Governance Incubator (DGI) and the Climate Justice Incubator. The programs aim to train, mentor, and support a new cohort of young civic
innovative leaders working at the intersection of Digital Governance, Climate Justice and accountability.

About the Digital Governace Incubator 

The Digital Governance Incubator (DGI) is your launchpad for turning bold civic tech and digital governance ideas into real solutions that positively impact communities.

Built on the legacy of Accountability Lab’s flagship programme, the Accountability Incubator, the Digital Governance Incubator is tailor-made for young changemakers who are reimagining what civic leadership in the digital age looks like and seek to use digital tools to foster good governance, citizen participation, and accountability, or to advocate for better governance of the digital sphere.

We understand that digital governance is not only about coding new platforms but is about connecting people, power, and purpose. That’s why this incubator goes beyond theory to help you design and drive the change your community needs. Over twelve action-packed months, you’ll join a network of “accountapreneurs”: accountability entrepreneurs working together to build accountability in a rapidly evolving technological world. 

Accountability Lab is seeking applicants with digital governance and civic tech ideas that fall under the following pillars:

• Openness and Transparency in Government – Innovative technology ideas that increase government transparency and openness.
• Access to Information and Participation – Innovative technology-based initiatives that enhance citizens’ access to crucial government information and enable citizens to participate more effectively in governance processes.  
• Effectiveness and Efficiency of Government Services -Innovative solutions that improve the performance of the government or local authorities, or government agencies in the execution of their mandate.
• Digital Inclusion, Equity, and Accessibility – Novel initiatives that crowd-in marginalized communities in the digital sphere, promote equity and accessibility, and address the digital divide.  

What does the Incubator offer?

The incubator provides a non-prescriptive, yet supportive environment for creative, enterprising individuals who bring innovative ideas to inspire accountability in their communities.

Selected Accountability Entrepreneurs (Accountapreneurs) receive a year of hands-on, comprehensive support, including training and knowledge building, mentoring, network building, and media outreach support. The support is designed to help young change-makers bring their ideas to life and scale up their work.

Selected accountapreneurs will receive mentorship, training, network building, and the space to grow their ideas into impact. As part of the incubator, you will:

• Design and implement a digital governance project to promote participation, open government, and accountability in your community.
• Strengthen your leadership, advocacy, and innovation skills.
• Reach new audiences through storytelling and public communications.
• Built lasting partnerships and joined a lifelong network of accountability champions.

Application Deadline: 11:59 PM EAT, [28 November 2025]

Who can apply?

☐ Are you between 18–35 years.

☐ Are you a citizen of Zimbabwe, Malawi, or Tanzania and ordinarily resident in those countries?

☐ Do you have a viable idea or initiative in the areas of digital governance and civic tech, and an interest in accountability, participation, and open government? 

☐ Can you work on your idea for at least four hours per week?

Women, people with disabilities, and other minority groups are encouraged to apply. 

What are we looking for in pitched ideas?

The pitched ideas should be:

Context-specific – does the idea demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the community it will support?

Feasible – How likely is it that the idea proposed will be achieved over time?

Creative – Is the idea for accountability truly innovative?

Sustainability – Does the candidate have a plan for how the project can continue over time? Is the idea designed for long-term impact?

Scalable – Will the idea create an accountability model that could be expanded to other communities?

*The applicant/idea/project must not be grounded in or focused on a political agenda or advance the interests of a political party or politician.