The Accountability Lab Zimbabwe (ALZ) has opened applications for the second cohort of the accountability incubator flagship program which will commence in January 2022.
The Incubator is an initiative of the Accountability Lab that nurtures young civic leaders and social entrepreneurs working to address accountability challenges in their communities.
Ten accountability entrepreneurs or accountapreneurs will be selected and they will receive hands-on support including training, knowledge, mentorship, network building, and media exposure for a year.
Applications will close on 31 October 2021 at midnight.
“The Accountability Lab is an organization that values diversity. Women, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups are encouraged to apply,” said ALZ in a statement.
ALZ said they are looking for applications that creatively address citizen participation in governance; promote accountability in public resources management, including but not limited to land governance, local governance, and environmental management; promote access to information on governance issues; and enhance service delivery and human rights, especially for women, the disabled and other marginalized communities.
“The Lab is also interested in creative and innovative initiatives that seek to enhance citizens’ participation in elections, combat apathy and promote accountability and integrity in the electoral process,” they said.
The ALZ said they will also provide the Accountapreneurs with working space, equipment, and access to the internet as well as the Lab’s global training and networking opportunities amongst other forms of support.
“To be eligible to participate in this year-long program, applicants must be citizens of Zimbabwe, reside in Zimbabwe, and be at least 18 years old at the beginning of the cohort in January 2022. In addition, they need to be the founder, leader, or primary decision maker for the organization, project, or initiative which they wish to incubate,” said ALZ.
Due to the continuing COVID-19 situation, ALZ said the 2022 class will benefit from a hybrid approach to the Incubator, which will have both face-to-face and virtual activities.
Meanwhile, ALZ added that from the 2021 Incubator program one of the accountapreneurs managed to leverage the resources provided to him to launch Astrea Justice, a mobile app that provides the user with information about the constitution as well as court and police contacts in all provinces
For more information on the Incubator, and to apply visit https://accountabilitylab.org/accountability-incubator/
