Applications are now being accepted for the 2025 edition of the SparkChange Programme by DW Akademie. This initiative seeks individuals in rural and peri-urban areas of Uganda and Tanzania who are driving change by ensuring that young people and women have a seat at the table when it comes to important community matters. If you’re passionate about elevating underrepresented voices and fostering inclusion in your community, this opportunity may be for you.

The programme is tailored for those who are already engaged in work that promotes the participation of youth and women in civic life. If you are aged between 25 and 35, are active in this space, and have a creative and realistic idea that can build on the efforts you’ve already started—even on a small scale—then SparkChange is eager to support you. This initiative champions individuals who are embedded in their communities, understand local needs, and are committed to making lasting, inclusive change.

DW Akademie is on the lookout for changemakers who are ready to expand their influence, test out fresh strategies, and mobilize others to create greater impact. If this reflects your mission and drive, this programme is designed to help you move forward with support, tools, and visibility.

To be eligible, applicants must be within the 25–35 age range and should either live in or be working closely with communities in rural or peri-urban Uganda or Tanzania. You should already be making efforts to promote the voices of youth or women—whether independently or through a group—and have a clear plan to take that work further. Competence in basic digital communication tools such as WhatsApp or email is necessary, along with the ability to communicate effectively in English. You should also be able to travel to Kampala twice during the programme, once in August and again in December 2025, with all travel and lodging costs fully covered.

Those selected for SparkChange will engage in an immersive, practical learning experience aimed at enhancing their leadership and bringing their vision to life. In August 2025, participants will attend a week-long innovation session to refine their ideas with guidance from professionals in communication, design, and local engagement. In December, they’ll return to develop a working model of their concept and prepare to implement it.

Participants will benefit from hands-on training in areas like design thinking, storytelling, proposal development, and public presentation. The programme also includes ongoing mentorship, access to funding opportunities for project implementation, and membership in a dynamic regional network of peers from across Uganda and Tanzania who are also committed to community transformation.

Scroll down for more details and click on the official link attached below to apply for this opportunity