Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Deadline: July 11, 2025
The DW Akademie’s SparkChange Programme 2025 is an exciting opportunity for young changemakers, media enthusiasts, and social entrepreneurs working at the intersection of media, civic engagement, and sustainable development. Organized by DW Akademie—Germany’s leading organization for international media development—SparkChange empowers youth-led initiatives with the skills, tools, and networks needed to amplify their voices and drive meaningful change through media.
This fully funded hybrid DW Akademie’s SparkChange Programme connects young leaders from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America, offering training, mentorship, and visibility for their projects that promote freedom of expression, access to information, and digital innovation.
Benefits
If you’re selected to join SparkChange, you’ll take part in a hands-on, creative journey designed to grow your leadership and bring your idea to life. Here’s what’s in store:
- Idea Lab (August 17–23, 2025): Develop your idea with expert support in design, communication, and community engagement.
- Action Lab (December 8–11, 2025): Build a prototype and prepare to pilot your idea.
You’ll also receive:
- Practical training in design, communication, proposal writing, and pitching
- Ongoing coaching and mentorship
- A chance to apply for seed funding
- A regional network of changemakers from Uganda and Tanzania
SEE ALSO: MASS African Design Centre Fellowship 2025 for African Architects and Designers (Paid Fellowship in Kigali, Rwanda)
Eligibility Criteria
This opportunity is for you if you:
- Are 25–35 years old
- Live in, or are actively working in, a rural or peri-urban community in Uganda or Tanzania
- Are already involved in amplifying youth and/or women’s voices—either as an individual or through an organization
- Have experience working with youth or women, and a clear idea of how to build on that work
- Can use basic digital tools like WhatsApp or email
- Can speak and understand English
- Are available to travel to Kampala in August and December 2025 (travel and accommodation will be covered)
Application Process and Documents Required
DW Akademie is not asking for a formal proposal. Instead, DW invite you to pitch your idea in a creative way that clearly shows what you want to do and why it matters.
You can submit a video, audio message, drawing, photo story, or any expressive format—as long as it answers the following questions:
- What is the idea you want to develop?
- Why is it important for youth and/or women in the community?
- How do you plan to make it happen?
- Who will be involved or benefit from it?
- What makes you the right person to lead this idea?
