Written by Digital Action Lab Programme 2026 (Cohort 3
Applications are now open for the Digital Action Lab Programme 2026 (Cohort 3), an initiative by CIVICUS in partnership with the Digital Democracy Initiative.
This programme is designed to support civil society organisations (CSOs) that are using or looking to use digital tools to strengthen democracy, civic engagement, and transparency.
If your organisation is working in civic space, governance, or social impact and wants to scale its digital efforts, this is a strong opportunity to access both funding and strategic support.
About the Programme
The Digital Action Lab (DAL) is a global initiative aimed at helping civil society organisations build, test, and scale digital solutions that improve democratic participation and civic engagement.
The programme focuses especially on organisations operating in challenging or restricted civic environments, where digital innovation can play a critical role in:
- amplifying citizen voices
- improving access to information
- strengthening accountability
- enabling participation in governance
Funding and Benefits
Selected organisations will receive both financial support and capacity-building opportunities.
Financial Support
- Grants ranging from $10,000 to $20,000
Programme Support (9 Months)
Participants will go through a structured 9-month support programme, which includes:
- Digital skills training to strengthen technical capacity
- Strategic advisory support tailored to your organisation’s needs
- Guidance on scaling digital tools and solutions
- Support in refining project ideas and implementation strategies
Peer Learning
- Collaboration with other organisations across different regions
- Shared learning, insights, and experiences
- Exposure to diverse approaches to civic innovation
Focus Areas
The programme is particularly interested in organisations working in the following areas:
Civic Tech and Innovation
- Digital platforms and tools that improve civic participation
- Technology-driven solutions for governance and accountability
Democracy and Transparency
- Initiatives that promote openness, accountability, and public trust
- Tools that strengthen democratic institutions and processes
Citizen Engagement in Restricted Spaces
- Solutions that enable participation in environments with limited civic freedom
- Digital approaches to overcoming barriers to engagement
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the programme, applicants must:
- Be a Civil Society Organisation (CSO)
- Be working in areas related to:
- democracy
- civic space
- governance
- social impact
- Have an interest in using digital tools to drive impact
The programme is suitable for organisations at different stages, including those:
- already implementing digital solutions
- looking to expand or scale existing tools
- exploring new digital approaches to civic engagement
Who Should Apply?
This opportunity is ideal for:
- NGOs and non-profits working in governance or civic engagement
- organisations focused on transparency, accountability, or public participation
- groups building or planning digital platforms, tools, or systems for impact
- teams operating in environments where civic space is limited or under pressure
Why This Programme Matters
Many organisations have strong ideas but lack the funding, technical support, or strategic guidance to scale them.
The Digital Action Lab addresses this gap by combining:
- funding
- training
- mentorship
- collaboration
This makes it more than just a grant — it is a growth and scaling programme for organisations ready to deepen their impact.
Deadline: April 30, 2026