Applications are now open for the 2025 edition of the TrustLab Incubator Programme, a flagship initiative by DW Akademie in partnership with Code for Africa (CfA) and Siasa Place. The programme is part of a three-year EU-funded project aimed at strengthening the capacity of media defenders and watchdog organisations in Kenya to counter digital threats through innovative, community-driven solutions.
This opportunity is designed for frontline media organisations, community-based groups, and digital rights defenders working to promote information integrity, digital security, and civic engagement in Kenya. The programme seeks to address the growing challenges of misinformation, online harassment, surveillance, and hate speech by equipping participants with the tools, resources, and collaborative networks needed to build resilient and trusted media ecosystems.
The TrustLab Incubator Programme takes a participatory approach that emphasizes local ownership, collaboration, and sustainability. By providing both financial and technical support, DW Akademie and its partners aim to empower local organisations to develop and implement projects that have tangible community impact while contributing to the national and regional discourse on media freedom and digital resilience.
Programme Overview
The TrustLab Incubator Programme supports grassroots initiatives that foster collaboration, innovation, and collective responses to digital harms. The programme recognizes that small and community-based organisations often face significant constraints—limited funding, digital security risks, and systemic challenges—that hinder their ability to effectively defend against digital attacks and misinformation campaigns.
Through TrustLab, selected participants will work with experts, mentors, and peer organisations to design and pilot interventions tailored to their unique contexts. The focus is on creating shared infrastructure, strengthening information security practices, and amplifying the collective voice of media defenders and civic actors.
This initiative forms part of DW Akademie’s broader commitment to promoting media viability, freedom of expression, and access to information globally. By investing in Kenyan organisations through the TrustLab framework, DW Akademie and its partners aim to nurture a new generation of trusted digital media defenders who can contribute to a safer and more informed public sphere.
Programme Objectives
The 2025 TrustLab Incubator Programme seeks to:
- Strengthen the capacity of Kenyan media and civil society organisations to identify, counter, and mitigate digital threats.
- Encourage collaboration and the sharing of digital infrastructure, tools, and resources among participating organisations.
- Support sustainable, community-led responses to issues such as online harassment, misinformation, hate speech, and surveillance.
- Promote innovation in digital safety practices and foster a culture of trust and accountability within online spaces.
- Empower organisations to build long-term digital resilience and contribute to the regional dialogue on information integrity.
Programme Details and Benefits
Successful applicants will receive:
- Funding: Each selected organisation will be awarded a grant of up to €5,000 to implement their proposed project. The grant is intended to support innovative and practical solutions that enhance the digital security and operational resilience of media or civic organisations.
- Capacity Building: Participants will gain access to expert mentorship, tailored training sessions, and peer learning opportunities covering digital safety, data protection, organisational governance, and sustainable project implementation.
- Collaboration and Networking: The programme fosters cooperation among like-minded organisations, offering opportunities for cross-learning, shared advocacy, and participation in a broader regional community of digital defenders.
- Technical Support: Through Code for Africa and Siasa Place, participants will receive guidance in digital infrastructure design, audience engagement strategies, and monitoring and evaluation practices to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of their projects.
Detailed Programme Components
The TrustLab Incubator Programme is structured into several phases designed to ensure maximum learning, collaboration, and measurable impact.
1. Orientation and Needs Assessment
Selected participants will begin the programme with an orientation phase, which introduces the TrustLab framework, objectives, and expectations. During this stage, participants will conduct a comprehensive needs assessment to identify the specific digital threats and vulnerabilities affecting their organisations.
This process ensures that each project is tailored to the local context and addresses genuine gaps in digital safety and resilience. Participants will also be introduced to available tools, mentors, and support systems to assist in their project design.
2. Capacity Building and Mentorship
The second phase focuses on capacity development through workshops, training sessions, and one-on-one mentorship. Experts in media development, digital security, and civic technology will guide participants in strengthening their internal policies and workflows.
Topics typically covered include:
- Risk assessment and digital threat modeling
- Secure communication and data protection practices
- Building community trust and combating disinformation
- Collaborative content creation and fact-checking
- Sustainable project management and resource mobilisation
Mentorship will be continuous, ensuring that participants receive hands-on support throughout the project implementation period.
3. Project Design and Implementation
After capacity building, participants will develop and execute their proposed projects. Each project should contribute directly to addressing a specific digital challenge while demonstrating community engagement, innovation, and scalability.
Examples of eligible projects include initiatives that:
- Create digital literacy or media verification campaigns targeting vulnerable groups.
- Develop shared online platforms to monitor and respond to misinformation.
- Establish local rapid-response mechanisms to counter online harassment.
- Implement open data solutions for improved transparency in public information dissemination.
- Build or enhance digital infrastructure for small watchdog media organisations.
Participants will receive technical support during this stage to ensure effective grant utilisation and measurable outcomes.
4. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting
TrustLab places a strong emphasis on accountability and learning. Each participant will be required to document progress, share insights, and measure the impact of their projects.
The monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework is designed not only to assess performance but also to generate best practices that can inform future policy and programming. Participants will contribute to knowledge-sharing events, helping others learn from their experiences and replicate successful models.
5. Showcase and Knowledge Exchange
The final phase of the programme includes a public showcase where participants will present their results, challenges, and lessons learned. This forum provides a platform for networking with donors, government stakeholders, and other media actors.
It also offers an opportunity for selected projects to receive continued mentorship or access additional funding through partner initiatives.
Who Can Apply
The TrustLab Incubator Programme welcomes applications from organisations that meet the following criteria:
- Must be formally registered with the relevant authorities in Kenya.
- Must maintain a strong and demonstrable connection to the communities they serve.
- Must have skilled and available staff who can fully participate during the programme period.
- Must be committed to countering digital threats such as surveillance, intimidation, hate speech, and misinformation.
- Must not work for any paramilitary or security organisation and must be non-partisan.
The programme encourages applications from community-based organisations, grassroots media houses, civil society networks, and advocacy groups working on issues of transparency, digital safety, or media freedom.
Expected Outcomes
By the conclusion of the 2025 TrustLab Incubator Programme, participating organisations are expected to have:
- Enhanced technical and institutional capacity to mitigate digital risks.
- Established partnerships and collaborative frameworks with other local actors.
- Developed innovative, sustainable solutions that strengthen information ecosystems.
- Contributed to national dialogues on online safety, trust, and responsible media practice.
The programme ultimately aims to create a multiplier effect where participating organisations can share their knowledge and tools with other community groups, contributing to a more resilient digital environment across Kenya.
Application Process
Interested organisations should prepare and submit their applications before the deadline. The application must clearly describe the proposed project, objectives, implementation strategy, expected outcomes, and how the project aligns with the goals of the TrustLab Incubator Programme.
Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate innovation, local relevance, and sustainability in their proposals. Submissions should include a brief organisational profile outlining existing capacities, previous experience, and commitment to digital safety and media development.
Applications are reviewed by a panel comprising representatives from DW Akademie, Code for Africa, and Siasa Place. The selection process is competitive and based on merit, alignment with programme objectives, and the potential for community impact.
Only shortlisted organisations will be contacted for the next stage of the process, which may involve interviews or clarification of proposal details.
Funding and Support Structure
The €5,000 grant provided to each selected participant is disbursed in instalments, contingent upon satisfactory progress and compliance with reporting requirements. DW Akademie and its partners ensure transparency and accountability through regular progress tracking and technical support.
Additionally, participating organisations will gain ongoing access to DW Akademie’s international network of media professionals and development practitioners, opening opportunities for future collaborations and visibility at both local and global levels.
Deadline
All applications must be submitted no later than October 24, 2025. Late submissions will not be considered.
For more information or clarifications, interested applicants may contact the programme team via [email protected].
This initiative represents a significant opportunity for Kenyan media defenders and civil society actors to strengthen their digital resilience and contribute meaningfully to safeguarding information integrity. By fostering cooperation and innovation, the TrustLab Incubator Programme continues to play a crucial role in building a secure, trusted, and vibrant media landscape in Kenya.
