Digitalize Youth Fellowship: Empowering Technologists for Human Rights
The Digitalize Youth consortium, in collaboration with Code for Africa (CfA), is launching an exciting fellowship program designed to empower technologists across Africa. This initiative offers six exclusive fellowships for skilled professionals to partner with Human Rights Defenders (HRDs), helping them leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to scale their interventions and enhance their impact.
These HRDs are based primarily in the Sahel region and surrounding countries in West and East Africa. Therefore, applicants must possess a strong familiarity with the cultural, political, and technological landscapes of these regions.
About the Fellowship
Under this program, selected fellows will work closely with HRDs to refine their existing AI-driven tools or create innovative solutions tailored to their unique challenges. The focus will be on developing ethical AI applications that strengthen human rights advocacy and foster social change.
Key Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with HRDs to design, test, and implement AI-based tools.
- Ensure AI solutions align with ethical principles, prioritizing fairness, transparency, and inclusivity.
- Analyze and interpret socio-economic and environmental data to generate actionable insights for advocacy.
- Develop scalable AI models, including natural language processing (NLP), computer vision, and predictive analytics.
- Support policy and decision-making processes by producing data-driven reports and recommendations.
- Engage in community-driven innovation, applying design thinking and participatory approaches.
Who Should Apply?
Code for Africa is seeking dynamic and innovative technologists with a passion for AI, social impact, and human rights. Ideal candidates should demonstrate expertise in the following areas:
✅ Social Impact & AI Solutions – Proven experience in developing AI-driven solutions that address societal challenges and support civic engagement. ✅ Data Expertise – Strong skills in data collection, cleaning, and analysis, particularly in socio-economic and environmental domains. ✅ Co-Design & Innovation – Ability to work collaboratively with communities and civil society organizations (CSOs) to create impactful solutions. ✅ Prototyping & Scaling – Experience developing AI models and solutions that can function in resource-limited environments and scale across multiple regions. ✅ Ethical AI Principles – Commitment to responsible AI development, ensuring fairness, bias mitigation, and transparency in AI applications. ✅ Technical Proficiency – Strong background in AI modeling, NLP, machine learning, and predictive analytics. ✅ Collaboration & Advocacy – Experience engaging with policymakers, grassroots organizations, and advocacy networks. ✅ Multilingual Communication – Fluency in English, French, or Arabic is required. ✅ Open-Source & Open-Data Principles – Familiarity with open-source tools and methodologies is highly desirable. ✅ Community Ties – Applicants must demonstrate strong connections to African communities and a deep understanding of local contexts.
Eligible Countries:
Candidates should be based in or have significant expertise in Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Sudan, Guinea, Benin, Togo, Cameroon, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia.
Program Benefits
Selected fellows will receive comprehensive support from CfA’s specialized labs, mentorship from leading AI experts, and opportunities for real-world impact.
🎯 Stipend: $500 per month
📅 Duration: Four months
🎓 Mentorship: Direct guidance from CfA’s TechLab, with additional support from the Digitalize Youth consortium’s partner institutions.
🌎 Networking: Collaborate with a vast regional and global network of experts, policymakers, and civil society organizations.
🚀 Impact-Driven Work: Develop AI-driven solutions that directly support human rights defenders and their initiatives.
📢 Showcase Opportunities: Present your capstone projects to local, national, continental, and global partners at major events.
Application Deadline
📅 Deadline: April 14, 2025
Interested in making a real impact through AI and human rights?
👉 Click HERE to Apply
Join this transformative initiative and contribute to a future where AI serves as a force for justice and empowerment across Africa!
CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR OTHER CURRENT EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMMES
