Innovation Lab Eligibility and Selection Criteria

Keseb uses the eligibility criteria to ensure that only qualifying projects submit pitches for consideration. Keseb uses the selection criteria to vet eligible projects across all stages of consideration.

Eligibility Criteria

  • The Project is focused on the theme of “Reimagining community-building for inclusive and resilient democracies”
  • The project is an early-stage, 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 iLab 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.

Selection Criteria

  • Commitment to and an 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.

Take the eligibility quiz to gauge whether your project would be a good fit for the iLab.