🌍 Sawaba Fellowship 2026 Fully Funded Decolonial Feminist Fellowship for African Thinkers, Artists, and Organizers with Monthly Stipend, Mentorship, and Fully Covered Convening

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📌 Program Overview

The Sawaba Fellowship 2026 is a unique, fully funded opportunity designed for African thinkers, creatives, and change-makers who want to challenge colonial narratives and build new knowledge rooted in African realities. The program is hosted by Liberation Alliance Africa under the Sawaba Institute of Critical Consciousness Raising.

• Program Type: Fellowship (Research + Creative + Activism)
• Duration: 3 Months
• Mode: Hybrid (Virtual + In-person convening)
• Start: May 2026 (with fully funded gathering)

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🎯 Fellowship Theme (2026)

“Not Pioneers of an Empty Land”

This theme challenges colonial myths that Africa had no history or systems before colonization. Fellows explore:

• Indigenous knowledge systems
• African histories and memory
• Cultural identity and resistance
• Decolonial feminist futures

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🧭 What Fellows Will Do

• Conduct independent or collaborative research or creative projects
• Work on outputs such as:
  • Essays
  • Research papers
  • Art & storytelling
  • Public talks or exhibitions
• Participate in:
  • Mentorship sessions
  • Group discussions
  • Peer learning spaces
• Present final work to wider audiences

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💰 Fellowship Benefits

• Monthly stipend: $500 USD
• Fully funded in-person convening (May 2026)
  • Travel covered
  • Accommodation covered
• Mentorship from experts and practitioners
• Access to a strong pan-African network
• Visibility through publications and events

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🧑‍🎓 Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be of African descent and living in Africa
• Come from diverse backgrounds such as:
  • Academia
  • Arts
  • Journalism
  • Activism
  • Community work
• Show strong interest in:
  • Decolonial thought
  • Feminism
  • Social justice
• Be able to commit fully to:
  • 3-month program
  • In-person convening in May 2026

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📄 Application Requirements

Applicants need to submit:

• Cover letter
• Project proposal (aligned with theme)
• CV or portfolio
• Budget draft

📌 Your proposal must clearly explain:

• Your idea
• Its connection to the theme
• Expected output (research, art, etc.)

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🗓️ Application Deadline

• Final Deadline: 24 April 2026

⚠️ Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, so a strong application is essential.

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🧭 Selection Process

• Application review
• Shortlisting based on:
  • Creativity & originality
  • Alignment with theme
  • Impact potential
• Final selection by program organizers

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🔗 Official Apply Link

👉 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScSawabaFellowshipApplication (as provided in official call — submit via email/form as instructed)

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📌 Important Notes

Ideal for those working in social change, storytelling, or knowledge production

This is not a degree program

Highly competitive with limited seats

Focus is on impact-driven ideas, not academic perfection