Paradigm Initiative Digital Rights and Inclusion Learning Lab (DRILL) Fellowship 2023

Paradigm Initiative (PIN) welcomes applications for the 3rd Edition of the Digital Rights and Inclusion Learning Lab (DRILL) Fellowship. Successful applicants will participate in the four-month virtual fellowship program from 1 August 2023 to 30 November 2023.

Application Deadline: 14th August 2023

About the Award: Paradigm Initiative (PIN) is a social enterprise that builds ICT-enabled support systems and advocates for digital rights in order to improve the livelihoods of under-served young Africans. Our digital inclusion programs include a digital readiness school for young people living in under-served communities (LIFE) and a software engineering school targeting high potential young Nigerians (Dufuna).

Paradigm Initiative works to connect under-served young Africans with digital opportunities and ensures the protection of their rights. 

Across regional offices in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Zambia, Zimbabwe and beyond, the organisation works to impact their livelihoods through digital inclusion and digital rights programs.

Through DRILL, Paradigm Initiative seeks to host innovative learning around digital rights and inclusion in Africa and serve as a space for enhanced capacity and networking. This is an opportunity for fellows to be embedded in the digital rights and inclusion ecosystem.

Fellows’ Responsibilities: Applicants will be required to briefly discuss their intended focus for the fellowship period during the application process. Paradigm Initiative will expect to receive a cutting edge project proposal that will benefit from the exposure to the African digital rights and inclusion community. If your proposal is big, innovative and addressing a real issue in the digital ecosystem, we look forward to reviewing your submission. 

Fellows’ Responsibilities 

• Fellows will be expected to dedicate at least 10 hours per month to the fellowship spread across two meetings and assigned activities during the fellowship.
• The fellows will be expected to publish research and deliver an advocacy campaign on digital rights or digital inclusion in Africa.
• Fellows may have an opportunity to travel to the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF) in April 2024 in Accra, Ghana and host a session.
• The fellowship will end with a closing ceremony on 8 December 2023. The fellowship is open to potential fellows living in Africa.

Type: (Professional) Fellowship

Eligibility:

• Potential candidates must be early-career individuals with at least two years of experience as technology or social innovators, researchers, policy experts, and/or entrepreneurs.
• Fellows must have relevant postgraduate qualifications and be exceptional individuals who will bring new learnings and innovations and gain exposure to the digital ecosystem.

Eligible Countries: The fellowship is open to potential fellows living within the following countries – Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia and Zimbabwe. 

Number of Awards: Not specified

Value of Award:

• PIN will provide a US$500  stipend to the selected fellows, covering participation in the Fellowship. 
• Fellow submissions will be published on PIN’s website and shared with the digital rights community.
• Fellows will be connected to industry experts who will lead sessions.
• Fellows will have an opportunity to join the Net Rights Coalition for continuous engagements.
• PIN will cover communications costs associated with fellow activities and provide opportunities for fellows to be embedded within the digital rights ecosystem. 
• The fellowship will provide editorial and technical support for reports/Policy Briefs and guidance on advocacy campaigns

Duration of Award: 9 months starting from 1 Aug 2021 to 30 November 2023. 

How to Apply: This application call is open from 4 July 2023 until  12 July 2023. The selection process will be finalised at the end of July, with successful Digital Rights and Inclusion Learning Lab fellows expected to resume in August through to November 2023. Interested candidates are invited to apply using the link:  bit.ly/Drill23

• It is important to go through all application requirements in the Award Webpage (see Link below) before applying.
• GOODLUCK

Visit Award Webpage for Details