CALL FOR APPLICATIONS AI AND DEMOCRACY FORUM SANDBOX 2026
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
AI AND DEMOCRACY FORUM SANDBOX 2026
INITIATIVE OF: YIAGA AFRICA
APPLICATIONS OPEN: 16 SEPTEMBER 2026
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 24 SEPTEMBER 2026
SHORTLIST ANNOUNCEMENT: 2 OCTOBER 2026
PITCH FINALE: 16 OCTOBER 2026
ABOUT THE SANDBOX
The AI and Democracy Forum Sandbox is a platform for builders, researchers, civic technologists, startups and innovators developing working AI solutions that can help protect elections, inform voters and strengthen public trust.
The Sandbox provides an opportunity for innovators to showcase practical technology solutions addressing challenges at the intersection of artificial intelligence, elections and democracy.
FOCUS AREAS
- COUNTERING DISINFORMATION
Solutions designed to detect and combat deepfakes, synthetic media and coordinated manipulation.
- VOTER EDUCATION AND INCLUSION
Accessible and multilingual civic information, voter education and voter engagement tools that can help citizens better understand and participate in electoral processes.
- ELECTION OBSERVATION AND DATA
Technology solutions for election monitoring, results analysis, verification and other data-driven approaches that can strengthen electoral transparency.
- TRANSPARENCY AND TRUST TECHNOLOGY
Solutions that make electoral information more visible, verifiable and trustworthy for citizens and other stakeholders.
WHO CAN APPLY
The call is open to:
- Startups and civic technology organisations
- Nonprofits and research teams
- Academic institutions
- Independent builders
- Individual innovators and solo builders
- Applicants from around the world
KEY ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT
Applicants must have a working proof of concept.
The Sandbox is therefore intended for innovators who have already developed a functional technology solution or proof of concept relevant to the focus areas.
WHAT SELECTED PARTICIPANTS GET
GRANT FUNDING
Selected innovators may receive grant funding to support the development and advancement of their solutions.
LIVE PITCH OPPORTUNITY
Selected participants will have an opportunity to pitch their solutions before an expert jury and Forum delegates.
ACCESS TO STAKEHOLDERS
Participants can gain access to funders, policymakers and potential partners interested in technology, elections, democracy and civic innovation.
GLOBAL VISIBILITY
The Sandbox provides visibility before a global audience interested in artificial intelligence and democracy.
WHO SHOULD APPLY
This opportunity may be relevant to innovators developing AI-enabled tools for election integrity, voter information, civic participation, election monitoring, fact-checking, digital trust, transparency and democratic processes.
Whether applying as a startup, organisation, research team, academic institution or independent builder, applicants should demonstrate a working proof of concept that addresses a relevant challenge.
KEY DATES
CALL OPENS: 16 SEPTEMBER 2026
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 24 SEPTEMBER 2026
SHORTLIST: 2 OCTOBER 2026
PITCH FINALE: 16 OCTOBER 2026
HOW TO APPLY
Interested applicants should submit their application through the official Sandbox application page:
Apply to the AI and Democracy Forum Sandbox
Applicants can also use the QR code provided in the official announcement to access the application page.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements and application instructions before submitting their applications.
A working proof of concept is required.
