Applications are open for Innovators-in-Residence Program 2021-2022! Apply now!
The AKU GSMC Media Innovation Centre, together with its partners DW Akademie and Media Challenge Initiative (MCI) are looking for the brightest media minds from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania to join their 2021-2022 Innovators-in-Residence program, a 12-month incubation and accelerator program that provides mentorship, training and coaching to media innovators in East Africa. They want to ensure innovators from both rural and urban areas get access to this program and for this reason, this year’s cohort will include a special track for rural innovators.
The AKU GSMC Media Innovation Centre wants to support innovators working on ideas that promote journalism in rural communities in Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. Specifically, they are looking for media solutions that improve access to information, public dialogue and participation for rural communities considering the great linguistic diversity, potentially low connectivity, limited access to professional news media and low literacy rates. Innovators working outside cities such as Nairobi, Dar es Salaam and Kampala are highly encouraged to apply.
Looking for fully-funded opportunities, install the Youth Opportunities Android or iOS App here.
The projects can range within the following media challenges, but they are open to any other exciting ideas-
- Community-based or community targeted journalism
- Youth-targeted journalism
- Fact-checking
- Digital journalism
- Documentaries or ‘alternative media’
Benefits
The 9 winning teams, 4 from Uganda, 4 from Tanzania and one from Kenya will join this programme for a period of 12 months and receive the following benefits to turn their ideas into successful products.
- A physical space in your home country to work and connect with a regional network of game-changers in the media space
- Expert coaching and mentorship based on the innovator’s needs as well as high-quality training by experienced professionals drawn from journalism and business
- Become a lifetime member of our young and growing community of journalism and media innovators
- Monthly stipend of $1,000 per team
- Grant Funding of up to $20,000.
Eligibilities
- Media innovators from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Journalists and innovators based in rural areas are especially encouraged to apply
- Innovators working in pre-formed teams or those applying as individuals but are willing to team up for this programme. Innovators can only apply in teams of 2-5 members
- Projects producing content in any East African language are welcome to apply. Applications must be submitted in English
- Projects that address journalism and media challenges other than storytelling are welcome. Apps and projects that support journalists and existing media houses in their work are invited to apply
- Participants must be above the age of 18 years
Application Process
The authority is cognizant of the challenges that their applicants may encounter while applying online, therefore they have provided you with several options:
- For online applicants: If you have access to reliable internet connection, please submit your application via a google form by clicking on Apply Now.
- For offline applicants: If you do not have access to a reliable internet connection, please consider the following options:
- Option A- Send your application via WhatsApp to the secure line. If you prefer this option, WhatsApp, text or call this number +254780993137 and the application questions will be sent to you immediately. Please respond to the application questions before the deadline.
Media Innovation Centre,
2nd floor,
06 Peponi Road, Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya. - Option B- You could visit their offices in Nairobi Kampala and Dar es Salaam and you will be provided with an internet connected computer to make your application online. Please notify the respective hub at least a day before for ease of access.
- Option C- Send your application through their partner organisations. If you prefer this option, please collect a physical application form from the partners’ office and ensure the filled application form is delivered before the deadline.
- For Ugandan applicants, you can collect and drop your filled application form in the following partner offices: (partners to provide phone numbers and physical addresses)
- The Innovation Village (Jinja)
The Innovation Village Jinja
Plot 5 Main Street, Jinja
Opposite Local Flavours and DHL. - Northern Uganda Media Club (NUMEC) in Gulu,
Northern Uganda Media Club,
P. o Box 126
Upper Churchill Drive
Gulu City, Uganda - Media Challenges Initiative (MCI) in Kampala
MCI Media Hub
Roof Top, Tirupati Mall,
Kabalagala, Kampala
+256775434172/ +256705807674 - Aga Khan University, Kampala
Aga Khan University
Plot 9/11, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi Road
P. O. Box 8842
Kampala, Uganda
Tel: +256 414 349 494
- The Innovation Village (Jinja)
- For Tanzanian applicants, you can collect and drop your filled application form in the following partner organisations:
- Ennovate Hub in Mwanza.
Flat 5&6, Second Floor,
Academic Block,
St Augustine’s University of Tanzania, Malimbe, Mwanza. - Tanzania Media Foundation in Dar-es-Salaam
Tanzania Media Foundation,
No. 2, Plot 18
Dahomey Street, Kinondoni, next to the Leaders grounds. - The Aga Khan University offices
Salama House
Urambo Stree
- Ennovate Hub in Mwanza.
- For Ugandan applicants, you can collect and drop your filled application form in the following partner offices: (partners to provide phone numbers and physical addresses)
- Option A- Send your application via WhatsApp to the secure line. If you prefer this option, WhatsApp, text or call this number +254780993137 and the application questions will be sent to you immediately. Please respond to the application questions before the deadline.
Looking for fully-funded opportunities, install the Youth Opportunities Android or iOS App here.
Application Deadline: August 31, 2021
Application ClosedOfficial link
