Accountability Incubator
An Incubator for Reformers Working on Issues of Transparency and Accountability
Our Accountability Incubator supports strong and innovative ideas from young people for accountability, participation and open government. The Accountability Incubator is one of the Lab’s flagship program for young change makers to build sustainable, effective tools for change. It provides a non-prescriptive, yet supportive environment for creative, enterprising individuals who bring innovative ideas to inspire accountability in their communities.
Selected “accountapreneurs” receive a year of hands-on, comprehensive support including: training and knowledge-building, mentoring, network building, and media outreach support. Women, people with disabilities and other minority groups are encouraged to apply in particular.
Case Studies
Susil Khanal
Co-founder of ACT for Sustainability in Nepal, aims to combat climate injustice and promote climate resilience among farmers in Nepal especially in Karnali region. He focuses on enriching farmers' knowledge, resources, and techniques to help them thrive against adversity. His ultimate goal is a future where farmers can not only successfully adapt to climate change but also improve their income and overall living standards.
Astrea Justice
Came about as a realization of ongoing human rights violations in Zimbabwe. Accountapreneur Courteney Takura Mukoyi chose to blend technology and human rights in creating the mobile phone app. The first of its kind, human rights remedy equips citizens with knowledge on their civil and political rights as well as accountability-related rights. Courtneney has won a World Forum for Democracy Innovation Award for his app.
Miatta Mulbah
Liberian activist who brought her small anti-rape NPO to our Accountability Incubator. We helped Miatta build Leemah into an organisation that successfully uses music and street theater to advocate against sexual harassment and abuse on behalf of girls in Montserrado and Margibi counties.
By The Numbers
More than 350 accountapreneurs have passed through our incubators, with ideas ranging from integrity watch groups at primary schools; to building networks of music artists pushing for integrity; to tools using blockchain to secure elections.
Changes the accountapreneurs have created include: pushing for budgets to be allocated to schools more effectively in Pakistan, changes to policies implemented by mining companies in Liberia, and the resolution of hundreds of accountability problems for migrants in Nepal.
Incubator FAQs
Eligibility Requirements
- Be the founder/CEO or primary decision-maker for the organization’s development and management;
- Have an original project in the testing or implementation phase that impacts accountability and transparency.
- Have a project that is a pilot or in the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) phase;
- Be between 18 and 35-years-old at the start of the program;
- Demonstrate the Accountability Lab’s values;
- Reside in Bangladesh, Belize, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Mali, Mexico, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somaliland, South Africa, or Zimbabwe.
The Idea Proposed By The Candidate Should Be:
Context-Specific:
Does the idea demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the community it will support?
Feasible:
How likely is it that the idea proposed will be achieved over time? Creative: Is the idea for accountability truly innovative?
Sustainable:
Does the candidate have a plan for how the project can continue over time? Is the idea designed to have a long-term impact?
Scalable:
Will the idea create a model for accountability that could be expanded to other communities?
*The applicant/project/idea must not be grounded in or focused on a specific political agenda or party.
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