Deadline: January 16, 2026
The Keseb Democracy Innovation Lab 2026 is an exciting global opportunity designed to support early-stage innovations that strengthen democratic resilience and social cohesion. This programme focuses on reimagining the building blocks of democracy through bold, community-centred ideas. In its inaugural edition, the initiative is dedicated to advancing solutions that build inclusive communities and foster cross-group belonging in diverse societies. The Keseb Democracy Innovation Lab 2026 offers a transformative support system for innovators seeking to drive social impact at scale.
About the Opportunity
The Keseb Democracy Innovation Lab (iLab) is a curated 8-month capacity-building programme aimed at empowering early-stage democracy innovators. The 2026 cohort is themed “Reimagining community-building for inclusive and resilient democracies.”
The iLab will select 10 community-building solutions developing fresh approaches to strengthening democratic well-being, particularly in contexts where diversity, polarisation, and social fragmentation remain challenges. Selected innovators will gain access to training, expert support, seed funding and a transnational peer community.
Eligibility
Applicants may come from a wide range of professional backgrounds, including:
- Democracy practitioners
- Grassroots community activists
- Organisers
- Artists or storytellers
- Academics or researchers
- Journalists
- Technologists
- Social innovators
To qualify:
- Projects must be non-partisan, not-for-profit, and early-stage. Eligible stages include:
- Idea stage
- Pilot/implementation stage (less than 2 years old)
- Post-pilot redesign stage
- The project must focus on community-building solutions that advance inclusive and resilient democracies, with emphasis on fostering cross-group belonging in diverse societies.
- Each project must have a dedicated Project Lead who:
- Is actively involved in the project
- Can commit time to participate in the 8-month programming
- Is proficient in English
- Can participate in both virtual sessions and in-person gatherings
Benefits / Award Details
Selected innovators will receive a comprehensive support package, including:
- 8-month capacity-building programming featuring innovation development, long-term planning, and future visioning
- Tailored sessions with leading futures-thinking and foresight experts
- Ongoing, personalised support from Keseb staff and subject-matter experts
- Peer-to-peer knowledge exchange within a global community of innovators
- USD 10,000 in seed funding awarded to each selected project upon programme completion
- Continued global collaboration through membership in the larger Keseb Community
Application Requirements / Documents
Applicants will be expected to prepare:
- Project Lead nomination details
- A comprehensive project pitch outlining:
- The problem being addressed
- The proposed community-building solution
- The project’s stage of development
- Target communities and expected impact
- Commitment to democratic, inclusive, non-partisan values
Additional details may be requested during the selection process.
Timeline / Key Dates
- Project Lead nomination deadline:
16 January 2026 (11:59 PM ET) - Project pitch submission deadline:
2 February 2026 (11:59 PM ET)
Note: If submission volume is high, the pitch form may close earlier. A 48-hour advance notice will be provided before early closure.
How to Apply
Application to the iLab involves two steps:
- Nominate the Project Lead by the stated deadline.
- Submit the project pitch form with all required information.
Links for application are provided below.
Selection Process
Candidates are evaluated based on:
- Relevance to the theme of community-building in inclusive democracies
- Novelty and potential impact of the idea
- Feasibility and clarity of the proposed solution
- Alignment with democratic values and commitment to non-partisan principles
- Engagement, availability and leadership capacity of the Project Lead
Final selections will be made by Keseb’s team and programme partners.
Additional Information / Terms
- The programme requires active engagement over eight months, including virtual sessions and in-person convenings.
- All selected projects must uphold non-partisanship and democratic integrity.
- Seed funding is provided after the completion of the iLab.
- Participation also comes with long-term membership in Keseb’s global innovator network.
Useful Links
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