Fellows will amplify youth voices and increase their engagement in SDG 16, and civic technology by creating and improving content on thematic focus on Wikipedia and Wikidata in Sahel region, neighbouring West Africa, and horns of Africa.
Code for Africa (CfA) is offering stipend‐based fellowships to Six (6) African Wikipedians-in-Residence to empower youth voices and promote a secure digital space through Wikimedia projects.
These fellowships are part of a joint initiative between Code for Africa, the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD), AfricTivistes, CFI Media Development, the World Scout Bureau Africa Regional Office, and the Kofi Annan Foundation (KAF), with contributions from the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD). This initiative, under the African Wikipedian Alliance, aims to address content gaps on Wikimedia projects related to the African Union Convention on Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection, e-democracy, digital mobilisation in social movements, SDG16, freedom of expression, and human rights in the Sahel region, neighboring West Africa, and the Horn of Africa.
Fellowship Details:
• Number of awards: Up to 6 Fellows
• Duration: 6 months
• Award amount: Each Fellow receives a stipend of USD 300 per month
• Additional support: Hands-on fact-checking and technical training, incentive for contributors, one-on-one mentorship, and ongoing support from CfA’s Communities and Academy Team.
Applicants must:
- Be a registered Wikimedian with at least two (2) years of experience as an editor and belong to the event organiser user group.
- Ideally be based in the Sahel region, neighbouring West Africa, or the Horn of Africa (exceptional applicants from elsewhere in Africa may be considered)
- Be fluent in English or French (Bilingual is a plus)
- Have a keen interest in digital rights and youth civic engagement.
- Have experience organising edit-a-thons and other Wikimedia events.
- Have experience building topic lists and facilitating technical training.
- Have experience fact-checking content on Wikipedia or be willing to learn.
- Have experience in community mobilisation.
- Possess an interest in the fellowship’s thematic (Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection, e-democracy, digital mobilisation in social movements, SDG16, freedom of expression, and human rights, among others) focus.
- Be an active contributor to Wikipedia and/or Wikidata with a verifiable portfolio.
- Have no history of blocks or sanctions on Wikimedia projects.
- Demonstrate the ability to track contributions and submit reports efficiently.
- Be willing to participate in mentorship, training, and outreach activities.
- Comply with AWA’s and Wikimedia policies on attribution, privacy, and friendly space guidelines.
Complete this form to apply for the fellowship.
Deadline for submission: 28th March 2025.