Are you a civic innovator, activist, or technologist with a bold idea to transform public engagement in the MENA region? If so, the First MENA Civic Tech Hackathon & Fellowship 2025 is calling your name. This groundbreaking program empowers changemakers like you to develop innovative, tech-driven solutions that expand civic spaces, amplify community voices, and foster democratic governance.
Why You Should Apply
Across the MENA region, civic participation faces growing obstacles due to outdated systems, shrinking civic spaces, and limited access to inclusive tools. However, with the right support, ideas can evolve into powerful solutions. That’s exactly where this unique initiative comes in.
Launched by the Digital Democracy Initiative in partnership with CIVICUS and led regionally by SmartGov, the Code for MENA Fellowship is more than just a hackathon—it’s a movement. The program connects 50 fellows from across Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, and Syria in a transformative three-month journey.
What You’ll Gain
Participants receive:
- Tailored training in digital security, civic tech, design thinking, coding, and fundraising
- One-on-one mentorship from global experts in civic innovation
- Networking opportunities with peers, technologists, and thought leaders
- Seed funding for top teams to scale their solutions
- A fully-funded trip to Bangkok for winning teams to attend the International Civil Society Week
- A certificate of completion and ongoing support
Importantly, no technical background is required—just a strong commitment to civic impact.
Fellowship Focus Areas
Fellows will design solutions in areas such as:
- Transparency & Accountability – Develop tools that monitor policies and promote open governance
- Public Engagement – Boost citizen participation in local decision-making
- Civic Crowdsourcing – Create platforms for data-driven advocacy and citizen journalism
- Community Organizing Tech – Mobilize grassroots action and collective efforts
Additionally, the program emphasizes mobile-first development, open-source innovation, inclusive UX design, and data resilience.
Key Dates to Remember
- Application Opens: July 17, 2025
- Deadline to Apply: August 23, 2025
- Program Starts: September 5, 2025
- Virtual Hackathon: October 10, 2025
- Winners Announced: October 15, 2025
- Bangkok Trip: November 3–7, 2025
- Program Ends: December 15, 2025
The First MENA Civic Tech Fellowship is your chance to challenge the status quo, reclaim civic spaces, and launch ideas that reshape how communities engage with governance. Whether you’re an activist, a creative, or a budding developer, this is your opportunity to lead change from the grassroots.
Deadline: August
