Deadline: January 16, 2026
Applications are open for the Keseb Democracy Innovation Lab 2026. Keseb’s Democracy Innovation Lab catalyzes promising early-stage innovations reimagining the building blocks of democracy. The theme of the inaugural iLab is “reimagining community-building for inclusive and resilient democracies.” They are seeking to select and support 10 innovative community-building solutions that aim to foster cross-group belonging in diverse societies.
iLab Theme: Reimagining Community-building for Inclusive and Resilient Democracies
Studies show that individuals with a strong sense of belonging are more likely to commit to democratic principles and contribute to democratic resilience. Fostering cross-group belonging and inclusivity is particularly important in diverse democracies but is often a challenging endeavor that requires continuous adaptation and innovation. This challenge is further compounded when the very foundations that have defined today’s democracies are not only contested but also in need of re-envisioning.
In this context, imaginative and futures-oriented community-building solutions can be a powerful lever for addressing the seismic shifts of ailing democracies while nurturing the democracies of tomorrow. This is not merely a conceptual exercise but a practical mandate for pro-democracy champions to architect more inclusive and vibrant democratic futures.
Benefits
- 8-month capacity-building programming in future visioning, innovation development, and long-term planning, delivered virtually and in person
- Sessions with leading futures-thinking and foresight experts
- Individualized support from the Keseb team and subject-matter experts
- Peer-to-peer exchange in a transnational community of diverse innovators
- Opportunity to develop global innovation principles for community-building that will be shared with the pro-democracy field
- USD $10,000 in seed funding for each project at the conclusion of the iLab
- An invitation to join the Keseb Community for ongoing transnational engagement and collaboration with peer Innovators and Keseb Democracy Fellows
Eligibility
- Keseb welcomes innovators from diverse backgrounds and disciplines who are passionate about advancing democracy through creative, community-centered solutions. You might be a:
- Democracy practitioner
- Grassroots activist
- Journalist or storyteller
- Organizer
- Researcher or academic
- Technologist
- Artist
- Project is focused on the theme of “Reimagining community-building for inclusive and resilient democracies”
- The project is an early-stage, a nonpartisan, and a not-for-profit solution that meets one of the following classifications:
- Idea stage: The project has been designed but has not been implemented.
- Pilot/implementation stage: The project is currently being piloted, or is in the process of implementation, and is less than 2 years old.
- Post-pilot redesign stage: Project has been in existence for more than 2 years but is either being relaunched or is taking on a new strategic direction to pilot a new innovation.
- Project Lead is committed to – and currently spends a meaningful amount of time on – the project
- Project Lead is able to participate in virtual and in-person Lab gatherings
- Project Lead is sufficiently proficient in English to be able to participate in an English-conducted Lab. Project Lead is expected to be able to read, understand, and converse in English with confidence. Full fluency is not required.
Application
- Submit a pitch by 11:59 PM ET on February 2, 2026
- Nominate a Project Lead by 11:59 PM ET on January 16, 2026
For more information, visit Keseb Democracy Innovation Lab.
