Democracy Innovation Lab

Keseb’s Democracy Innovation Lab catalyzes promising early-stage innovations reimagining the building blocks of democracy. The theme of the inaugural iLab is “reimagining community-building for inclusive and resilient democracies.” We are seeking to select and support 10 innovative community-building solutions that aim to foster cross-group belonging in diverse societies.

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Studies show that individuals with a strong sense of belonging are more likely to commit to democratic principles and contribute to democratic resilience. Fostering cross-group belonging and inclusivity is particularly important in diverse democracies, but is often a challenging endeavor that requires continuous adaptation and innovation. This challenge is further compounded when the very foundations that have defined today’s democracies are not only contested but also in need of re-envisioning.

In this context, imaginative and futures-oriented community-building solutions can be a powerful lever for addressing the seismic shifts of ailing democracies while nurturing the democracies of tomorrow. This is not merely a conceptual exercise but a practical mandate for pro-democracy champions to architect more inclusive and vibrant democratic futures. Read more. 

  • 8-month capacity-building programming in future visioning, innovation development, and long-term planning, delivered virtually and in person
  • Sessions with leading futures-thinking and foresight experts
  • Individualized support from the Keseb team and subject-matter experts
  • Peer-to-peer exchange in a transnational community of diverse innovators
  • Opportunity to develop global innovation principles for community-building that will be shared with the pro-democracy field
  • USD 10,000 in seed funding for each project at the conclusion of the iLab
  • An invitation to join the Keseb Community for ongoing transnational engagement and collaboration with peer Innovators and Keseb Democracy Fellows
  • A strong commitment to inclusive and resilient democracies;
  • A credible, passionate Project Lead with relevant lived and/or professional experience;
  • Imaginative and compelling innovation with a futures orientation;
  • Early-stage solutions with potential for impact; and
  • A spirit of collaboration and knowledge sharing across borders.

Projects must be early-stage, nonpartisan, and not-for-profit solutions with a focus on diverse democracies. Keseb defines a project as early-stage in one of three ways:

  • Idea stage: Project has been designed but has not yet been implemented.
  • Pilot/implementation stage: Project is currently being piloted, or is in the process of implementation, and is less than 2 years old.
  • Post-pilot redesign stage: Project has been in existence for more than 2 years, but is either being relaunched or is taking on a new strategic direction to pilot a new innovation.

We are looking for Innovators from diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise. You might be a….

  • Democracy practitioner
  • Grassroots activist
  • Journalist or storyteller
  • Organizer
  • Researcher or academic
  • Technologist
  • Artist
  • or something else entirely.

Qualifying projects must have a Project Lead who is currently spending a meaningful amount of time on the project. The individual also must be sufficiently proficient in English to be able to participate in Innovation Lab programming.

  • Project is focused on the theme of “Reimagining community-building for inclusive and resilient democracies”
  • The project is an early-stage, a nonpartisan, and a not-for-profit solution that meets one of the following classifications:
  • Idea stage: The project has been designed but has not been implemented.
  • Pilot/implementation stage: The project is currently being piloted, or is in the process of implementation, and is less than 2 years old.
  • Post-pilot redesign stage: Project has been in existence for more than 2 years, but is either being relaunched or is taking on a new strategic direction to pilot a new innovation.
  • Project Lead is committed to - and currently spends a meaningful amount of time on - the project
  • Project Lead is able to participate in virtual and in-person Lab gatherings
  • Project Lead is sufficiently proficient in English to be able to participate in an English-conducted Lab. Project Lead is expected to be able to read, understand, and converse in English with confidence. Full fluency is not required.
Take the Quick Eligibility Quiz
  • Commitment to - and approach for - advancing inclusive and resilient democracies: (1) The project articulates a commitment to advancing inclusive and resilient democracies, and shares a vision for how innovation will contribute to this commitment. (2) The project has a clear approach for fostering cross-group belonging in a diverse society, or diverse societies.
  • Expertise and track record of Project Lead: The Project Lead’s lived and/or professional experiences and expertise bring credibility and effectively position them to implement and grow the project.
  • Imaginative and compelling innovation with a futures orientation: (1) The project aims to contribute to the reimagination of community building over the next 20-30 years. (2) The project’s innovation is unique and compelling in the context in which it currently operates/aspires to operate in. (3) The project addresses a critical innovation gap informed by robust analysis.
  • Potential for impact in diverse democracies: The project shows promise for impact as: (1) a local or national solution from which meaningful transnational lessons can be drawn and/or are conducive to adaptation in different contexts, or (2) a transnational solution from which local and national efforts can derive value.
  • Commitment to transnational collaboration and knowledge sharing: (1) Project Lead is committed to collaborating with peers and contributing to building the pro-democracy field’s innovation landscape. (2) Project Lead is committed to and has the capacity to participate in Keseb’s Innovation Lab programming. (3) Project Lead is interested in being a part of and contributing to the Keseb community through ongoing transnational learning and exchange, after the iLab concludes.

Submit your pitch by 11:59 PM ET on February 2, 2026. Please note that if Keseb needs to close the pitch form early due to a high volume of submissions, we will communicate this and provide a final 48-hour window for pitch submission. 

Eligibility Checklist

Eligibility Quiz and Pitch Form

Nomination Form

FAQs