AfaRise Fellowship

The African Futures Lab (AfaLab) is launching the AfaRise Fellowship, a bold, two-year fully virtual program for visionary young researchers and activists dedicated to dismantling racial injustice across Africa and the global diaspora.

✨ About the Fellowship

The AfaRise Fellowship is a timely initiative aimed at centering African and diaspora leadership in global racial justice and reparations work. It seeks to build collective power by equipping fellows with tools, networks, and strategies to advance reparatory justice in institutions, communities, and movements across borders and generations.

This fellowship aligns with the African Union’s 2025 declaration as the Year of Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations, a pivotal moment to drive bold advocacy in a time of rising authoritarianism, global inequality, and fractured solidarity.

Why AfaRise?

While interest in reparations for racial injustices and decoloniality grows, African actors often remain under-resourced, disconnected, and sidelined. The AfaRise Fellowship addresses this gap by cultivating a cohort of racial justice leaders equipped to act locally and globally from an African and Afro-diasporic perspective.

🔑 Core Components

1. Strategic Reflections Through Peer Knowledge Exchange
   Bi-monthly convenings to analyze project developments, build responses, and adapt strategies.

2. Strengthening Intersectional Knowledge on Racial Justice and Reparations
   Fellow-led programming on race, reparations, and their links with gender, decoloniality, climate, AI, economics, and emerging justice issues.

3. Collaborative Outputs
   A space to initiate collaborations among fellows or between the lab and the fellows.

4. Public Representation
   Opportunities for fellows to represent AfaLab in multilateral events, regional, or civil society spaces.

5. Alumni Integration
   Ongoing opportunities for publication, events, and strategic collaboration.

🛠️ Roles and Responsibilities

• Engage in regular virtual gatherings and knowledge-sharing sessions.
• Provide regular updates on the advancement of their projects.
• Prepare a final presentation of their projects.

🎁 Benefits

• A vibrant circle of peers and experts to exchange ideas, challenge assumptions, and shape your project vision.
• Access to the African Futures Lab network, offering valuable connections and support.
• Opportunities to showcase your work through conferences and podcast platforms, amplifying your voice and reach.
• Possibilities for collaboration with the AfaLab team to co-create impactful initiatives.
• A stipend of €200 per working session, recognizing and supporting your commitment.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Target Group

• Activists, practitioners, researchers, and artists engaged in projects tied to decoloniality, racial justice, and reparations based in Africa and Europe.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to racial justice across relevant themes (e.g., gender, climate, economics).
• A project in its initial phase aimed at dismantling racial injustices across Africa, Europe, or globally.
• Contextual understanding of Africa, Europe, or Afro-diasporic communities.
• Visionary, collaborative, and innovative approaches to social change.

Desirable Assets

• Multilingual abilities (especially in French and English).
• Cross-sectoral, interdisciplinary, or transdisciplinary experience.

📅 Application Date and Process

• Application Deadline: 31 July 2025
• Applications will be assessed for merit, thematic fit, and diversity. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for online interviews.

How to Apply

• Submit your application via the official application form.

🌟 Sponsor Organization

The African Futures Lab (AfaLab) is the sponsor of this fellowship. For more details, visit their official website.

Take this opportunity to join a transformative fellowship and contribute to advancing racial justice and reparations across Africa and the global diaspora!

• A vibrant circle of peers and experts ready to exchange ideas, challenge assumptions, and help shape your vision for your project.
• Access to the African Futures Lab network, offering valuable connections and support to move your project forward.
• Opportunities to showcase your work through our conferences and podcast platforms, amplifying your voice and reach.
• Possibilities for collaboration with our team because we believe in co-creating impact.
• A stipend of €200 per working session, recognizing and supporting your commitment to the project.