Spotlight Initiative SafeTech Africa HackLab 2026 for young African Innovators
About this opportunity
Seed capital grants of $10,000 for young African innovators. Applications open; deadline 18 October 2026 (23:59 CAT).
The Spotlight Initiative SafeTech Africa HackLab 2026 is a grant opportunity for young African innovators aged 18–35 to develop solutions addressing technology-facilitated violence, child marriage, female genital mutilation, and gender-based violence. Funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and partners, this challenge offers four seed grants of USD 5,000–10,000 to innovative projects across three themes: Safe Physical & Community Spaces, Safe Informational Spaces, and Safe Digital Spaces. Shortlisted teams will receive mentorship and a virtual showcase before a live pitch at the YouthConnekt Africa Summit in November 2026. Applications open 29 September 2026 and close 18 October 2026 (23:59 CAT). The focus is on youth-led digital and community solutions that leverage technology to empower marginalized groups, particularly adolescent girls and young women at risk of harmful practices.
What it offers
- Four winners receive seed grants of USD 5,000–10,000 each.
- Virtual mentorship via the UNFPA Social Innovation Toolkit.
- Virtual showcase for shortlisted finalists.
- Live pitch event at the YouthConnekt Africa Summit (November 2026).
Who can apply
Young African innovators, social entrepreneurs, and digital rights advocates aged 18–35 are eligible. Projects must be youth-led and address one of three themes: Safe Physical & Community Spaces, Safe Informational Spaces, or Safe Digital Spaces.
What you'll do
Develop a practical, original innovation using digital, mobile, or civic technology to combat harmful practices like child marriage, FGM, and technology-facilitated violence. Solutions must engage at-risk communities, particularly adolescent girls and young women, and align with one of the three challenge themes. Examples include mobile-based early-warning systems, digital storytelling platforms, and decentralized digital spaces for safe information sharing.
How to apply
- Submit an application through the provided link.
- Ensure compliance with eligibility criteria (e.g., youth-led, African origin, innovation focus).
- Follow submission guidelines for project details, innovation examples, and supporting documentation.
Good to know
- Applications close 18 October 2026 (23:59 CAT).
- No explicit language requirement is stated, but innovations must be relevant to African contexts.
- Contact emails for inquiries:
etshimanga@gmail.com,manala@unfpa.org,ssebadduka@unfpa.org,moodie@unfpa.org. - No formal education level is specified, but projects must be practical and actionable for youth-led implementation.
Key themes: Safe Physical & Community Spaces, Safe Informational Spaces, Safe Digital Spaces.
Key details
What you get
- USD 5,000–10,000 seed grant per winner
- Virtual mentorship via UNFPA Social Innovation Toolkit
- Virtual showcase for shortlisted finalists
- Live pitch event at YouthConnekt Africa Summit (November 2026)
How to apply
- Submit an application through the provided link.
- Ensure the project aligns with one of the three themes and meets eligibility criteria.
- Provide detailed innovation examples and supporting documentation as required.
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