Introducing the second cohort of Keseb Democracy Fellowship
January 22, 2026

Keseb is pleased to announce its second Fellowship cohort of twelve democracy entrepreneurs and organizations from Brazil, South Africa, and the United States.

The Fellows lead innovative and impactful pro-democracy organizations employing strategies in one or more of Keseb’s current priority pillars: (1) Free, fair, and trusted elections; (2) Diverse, representative, and pro-democratic public leadership in government; (3) Healthy information ecosystems; and (4) Empowered and engaged constituents.

About Keseb and the Democracy Fellowship

Keseb is a nonpartisan, pro-democracy nonprofit organization building a vibrant transnational civil society ecosystem for learning, collaboration, and innovation to advance inclusive and resilient democracies. In service of this, Keseb drives complementary initiatives to support democracy entrepreneurs, champions, and the broader pro-democracy field.

The Democracy Fellowship initiative provides deep support to a mosaic of leading and established national democracy entrepreneurs and their organizations from Brazil, South Africa, and the United States. Through a multifaceted support model, the Fellowship equips democracy entrepreneurs to cross-pollinate strategies, innovations, and insights across borders, expand their global networks, and engage in collaborative action.

The Fellowship’s initial two-year immersion period comprises: (1) in-person retreats and virtual convenings for peer-to-peer relationship building and knowledge exchange, rejuvenation and inspiration, and engagement with subject matter experts; (2) one-on-one support from a dedicated Keseb thought partner; (3) opportunities for collaborative projects; and (4) access to a wellness stipend and flexible organizational funding over two years. Upon completing the two-year Immersion, Fellows continue to have a platform for transnational engagement and collaboration through Keseb’s growing community.

The second cohort of Keseb Democracy Fellowship
 
Mbali Baduza | WeThePeopleSA
South Africa
Organization Vision: For the people of South Africa to know, own and protect the Constitution to realise its promise.
 
Dr. Ana Julia Bernardi | Instituto Democracia em Xeque
Brazil
Organization Vision: To defend democracy by building cross-sector coalitions that safeguard information integrity, counter disinformation, and strengthen resilient and inclusive civic ecosystems.
 
Maíra Berutti | Quid
Brazil
Organization Vision: To strengthen democratic communication in the competition for attention and shared meaning, grounded in the principle that political contestation is inseparable from cultural contestation.
 
Chioma Chukwu | American Oversight
United States
Organization Vision: An informed public, a strengthened democracy.
 
Tiana Epps-Johnson | Center for Tech and Civic Life
United States
Organization Vision: A healthy democracy where every American thrives through harnessing the promise of technology to modernize the American voting experience.
 
Fernando Haddad Moura | Legisla Brasil
Brazil
Organization Vision: A Brazil where democracy inspires trust, the legislative branch truly reflects the country’s diversity, and every citizen feels represented in the debates and decisions that are being debated and that shape their lives.
 
Mary-Pat Hector | Rise
United States
Organization Vision: A future where young people are the decisive political force that shapes policy and culture, ensuring every young voice is heard and valued in the decisions that define their generation.
 
Mazibuko Kanyiso Jara | Zabalaza Pathways Institute
South Africa
Organization Vision: To achieve just, loving societies free from poverty and based on zero-carbon economies, where ordinary people are organized, empowered, and in democratic control of their livelihoods, development, and resources.
 
Gui Mohallem | VoteLGBT
Brazil
Organization Vision: A world where an intersectional transition toward a democracy of care makes full citizenship possible for all people.
 
Mbali Ntuli | Ground Work Collective
South Africa
Organization Vision: To strengthen South Africa’s democracy by empowering citizens—especially young people and marginalized groups—through civic education, community mobilization, and participatory initiatives that build active, informed, and engaged communities.
 
Mpho Raboeane | Ndifuna Ukwazi
South Africa
Organization Vision: To build a more equal, spatially just and inclusive city by protecting and expanding access to well-located land and affordable housing, for social, economic and racial justice.
 
Layla Zaidane | Future Caucus
United States
Organization Vision: A diverse democracy where the political culture is grounded in empathy, and leaders pursue innovative policy solutions.
 

If you are a Democracy Entrepreneur interested in learning more about the Fellowship, we invite you to review our selection approach and criteria and fill out the interest form.

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For any inquiries, contact us at hello@keseb.org.
 
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