By Kibo Ngowi

The Accountability Incubator emerged out of a vision to train and support young people with innovative ideas around accountability, participation and open government to build sustainable, effective tools for change. In the decade that AL has run the Incubator, we’ve had more than 300 accountapreneurs from over a dozen countries go through the program. The initiatives we’ve supported run the gamut from integrity watch groups at primary schools; to building networks of music artists pushing for integrity; to tools using blockchain to secure elections. 

AL Programs & Learning Manager Jaco Roets has been at the forefront of the Incubator for much of its existence. “The one thing that drew me to this work is a very personal component,” he explains. “I think the way the world is changing, we need to start acknowledging that there are resources and opportunities in spaces where we don’t see them. And for me, that ties into Accountability Lab’s idea of creating unlikely networks. There’s often real energy in spaces where we don’t expect to find it.”

“So for me, the core of the Incubator is really to remind anyone that is really passionate about bringing change in their communities that they can do something with what they have right now. It’s not about perfecting your idea. It is not about building out a massive NGO. It’s just saying you want to do something, let us think with you how you can do that with what you have right now. And also how we can connect you to potential additional partners to do it with you.”

Roselily Ushewokunze is an accountapreneur in Zimbabwe working on food security while Richa Neupane is an accountapreneur in Nepal working on girls’ participation in science and technology. These two Incubator alumni received a year of hands-on, comprehensive support including training and knowledge-building, mentoring, network-building, and media outreach support. They remain part of our global network and their passion for community impact and raising the voices of the most marginalized members of society including women and the youth is greater than ever. We spoke to them about what they gained from participating in the Incubator and what advice they would give to other young aspiring changemakers.

We also spoke to Jaco about a new evolution in our work supporting young civil society leaders – Civic Charge. This program is a year-long catalytic journey for change makers who are implementing innovative approaches to strengthen social accountability in Bangladesh, Belize, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mexico, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somaliland, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Having incubated various accountability-related projects, we’ve gained a lot of insight on the needs of the innovators in our incubators, and we have used those learnings to create Civic Charge: An Accelerator for Social Accountability Change Agents.

Fighting for Food Justice in Zimbabwe

Roselily Ushewokunze, founder of the Food Justice Network in Zimbabwe, embarked on a mission to address systemic challenges in the country’s food system in response to the intensified hardships brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The initiative started as a local response to the vulnerabilities of unemployed youth and has since evolved into a national movement addressing injustices throughout the food value chain.

“When the initiative began, it was just me trying to address the food challenges I experienced,” explains Roselily. “However, upon entering the Incubator program, I noticed common problems being addressed by other young people focused on climate change and agriculture. We decided to join forces to achieve more, and that’s when the transformation occurred. I teamed up with individuals from the first cohort in Zimbabwe in 2021, including Caroline, and others from my cohort working in mining. Together, we formed the Food Justice Network.”

Participation in the Accountability Incubator played a pivotal role in the network’s growth. Roselily gained access to a network of professionals, including agronomists, policy experts, and development specialists, through the Incubator. The curriculum, with a focus on human-centered design thinking, transformed the initiative’s problem-solving approach, placing a significant emphasis on prioritizing people’s needs. Training sessions on accountability, leadership, and media further equipped the team with essential skills.

“We started as a grassroots movement and have grown into a national movement with nodes in every province,” Roselily says. “We work mainly in rural areas with women and young people. Our core team, consisting of voluntary members, collaborates virtually. We have cluster leads addressing specific issues like land, water, and seeds. While we have no salaries and minimal funding, we’ve expanded from around 250 people to about 500 individuals and organizations. We receive support from Accountability Lab for technical guidance, but substantial funding is yet to come through.”

Roselily encourages young aspiring activists to overcome the fear of starting: “Don’t be scared to start. Challenges will come, but seeking advice from experienced individuals and forming synergies with others can reduce the workload. Work with other people, as they might already be addressing the issues you’re trying to solve. You don’t necessarily need funding to start; it’s crucial to use the resources at hand. Human-centered design thinking is essential—put people first and tailor solutions to their needs.”

Empowering girls to participate in science and technology in Nepal

Richa Neupane, a young civil society leader from Nepal, founded Udeshya Girls in STEM in 2018. With a background in education, Richa aimed to create a more inclusive environment for girls interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. Her inspiration came from observing the gender disparities in STEM education while working at a low-resource public school.

“While I was working at a public school, I noticed that girls couldn’t relate to building things as boys could,” explains Richa. “Even during science projects, girls were often relegated to cleaning and painting, while boys took on the construction work. Witnessing this gender disparity, we started Udeshya in 2018 to provide a platform for girls to learn without judgment, find role models, and explore careers without limitations and stereotypes.”

Udeshya Girls in STEM addresses gender stereotypes and limitations hindering girls from engaging in STEM fields. Seeking support from the Accountability Lab, Richa entered the Accountability Incubator program, which provided crucial mentorship, training, and support during Udeshya’s transition from a voluntary initiative to a formal organization. This support enhanced the organization’s structure and compliance with government processes.

“The Lab provided the governance support I was seeking,” says Richa. “It identified and addressed problems in the public system, aligning with my goals. The Lab became a valuable resource, expanding my understanding of governance in Nepal. Working with their good governance champions, like Integrity Icons, was seamless, and their support has been pivotal.” 

“Participating in events and the HackCorruption competition deepened my understanding of corruption, transparency, and accountability. Winning the competition opened up opportunities to work on an innovative solution for budget transparency, focusing on awareness and education for young people in schools. This unexpected journey into advocating for good governance added tremendous value to Udeshya’s portfolio and my personal growth.”

“Udeshya experienced significant growth and change, especially in terms of engaging with policy research, government partnerships, and adding another municipality to our work,” explains Richa. “The Lab’s support during the crucial transition from a voluntary initiative to a more formal organization was invaluable. Their mentorship and training on government compliance were particularly helpful. The Lab played a key role during Udeshya’s transformation, providing necessary guidance and structure.”

Richa encourages young aspiring activists to understand the importance of starting small, testing ideas gradually, and not fearing failure. “Start small to test your idea and gradually build on it. Don’t fear failure and take it step by step. Find the right team and seek mentorship. Validate your ideas by comparing them with best practices globally. Context matters, so ensure your idea is rooted in lived experiences or well-researched insights. Collaboration and openness are key. If there are specific questions, seeking guidance from mentors or experienced individuals can provide valuable insights.”

Civic Charge: The Evolution of the Incubator

Out of the Accountability Incubator Civic Charge has emerged, representing a natural evolution of the program. Civic Charge caters to individuals who have moved beyond the ideation phase and are actively implementing initiatives. The program focuses on providing high-intensity support to amplify ongoing projects, fostering collaboration, securing resources, and building resilience.

Unlike the Incubator, Civic Charge operates globally, bringing together a smaller, more focused cohort of participants to ensure personalized attention and support. The curriculum is tailored to the specific needs of individuals at different stages of implementation, covering various skills such as team-building, HR practices, safeguarding policies, board setup, and long-term planning. Mentors with practical experience are integral to the program, sharing their stories to guide participants and prevent them from encountering similar challenges.

“So the main difference from the Incubator is that with Civic Charge we want to take people that have already started implementing various ideas and give them dedicated support so they can actually build those initiatives out even more,” explains Jaco. “So the Incubator is more for initiatives at the beginning – I have an idea but I haven’t really unpacked it that much – where the Civic Charge is for initiatives at a more advanced stage – I’ve thought of something, I’m doing something already and now I want to figure out how to supercharge it. We want to help young leaders who have already hit the ground running to effectively scale their projects, collaborate with others, raise more resources, and also build more resilience. We want to make sure that all these initiatives are built to last.”

The application process for Civic Charge strikes a balance between accessibility and quality. It involves a written component where applicants share their stories and a video component to showcase their passion and energy. Civic Charge supports participants with a track record of implementing initiatives, an openness to learning, a commitment to collaboration, and a genuine passion for creating positive change. The ultimate goal is to create a global learning community of accountability runners who share, learn, and deepen their impact collaboratively.

In the intricate tapestry of social change, the stories of young civil society leaders like Roselily and Richa stand as vibrant threads, woven together by the transformative experiences of participating in the Accountability Incubator. Their journeys from aspiring activists to impactful changemakers exemplify the power of grassroots movements in reshaping communities.

The Accountability Incubator has not only provided essential support and training to emerging leaders but has also evolved into the Civic Charge program, expanding its impact globally. The emphasis on unconventional spaces, collaboration, and the belief in the potential of every individual to create change resonates throughout this narrative. As Civic Charge continues to inspire and support accountability runners worldwide, it solidifies the legacy of the Accountability Incubator in shaping the future of impactful social change initiatives.

Key lessons for young people keen to make an impact in their communities 

1. Start Small and Fearlessly: Don’t wait for perfect conditions or substantial funding. Start with what you have, test ideas gradually, and be unafraid of failure.
2. Collaboration is Key: Seek advice, form collaborations, and work with others who share similar goals. Developing solutions to pressing issues may already be in progress through collective efforts.
3. Utilize Available Resources Creatively: Limited funding shouldn’t hinder your impact. Be resourceful, creatively utilize what’s available, and focus on expanding your network and impact.
4. Human-Centered Design Thinking Matters: Prioritize people’s needs in your solutions, and tailor your initiatives to address the real challenges faced by your community.
5. Reflection is Crucial: Take the time to reflect on your initiatives, acknowledge challenges, and learn from experiences. This introspection is often a neglected but vital aspect of the changemaking process.
6. Seek Mentorship and Guidance: Learning from experienced individuals can guide you through challenges and help you navigate the complexities of implementing initiatives.
7. Be Open to Learning: Embrace a mindset of continuous learning and adaptation. The journey involves evolving and refining your approach based on new insights and experiences.
8. Believe in the Power of Unlikely Networks: Recognize the potential in unconventional spaces and collaborations. Change is possible within communities, and tapping into unexpected environments can yield powerful results.

Kibo Ngowi