From 2021 to 2024, AfricTivistes, through the Charter Project Africa, implemented several initiatives aimed at encouraging the use of civic technologies to accelerate the ratification of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG). These initiatives also strengthened citizens’ voices, particularly those of young people and women, and created collaborative spaces between citizens, civil society organisations, and African Union bodies.

MOOC “Democracy, Elections, and Governance”: Amplifying Citizens’ Voices Through Education!

The journey began with the launch of the MOOC on democracy, elections, and governance. This online learning platform, accessible to a wide audience, provides educational and didactic content on democracy, good governance, and elections in Africa. It serves a dual purpose: addressing the information gap and facilitating access to institutional content.

In two years, the MOOC has offered five courses, thirty modules, and an equal number of open-access educational resources. This programme has been an open space for learning and strengthening knowledge on civic engagement, participatory democracy, and access to information.

MOOC in numbers:

• 5 courses and 26 modules
• 6 experts
• Over 1,000 learners on the platform
• Over 100 certified learners
• Over 30 educational resources
• 6 blog articles

Find out more about the MOOC: https://bit.ly/40wEV4w 

Pan-African Online Citizen Consultation: Citizens at the Heart of Democratic Governance!

Alongside the MOOC, AfricTivistes launched a pan-African online citizen consultation to gather ideas and recommendations from African citizens on democratic governance. This participatory exercise addressed key themes such as freedom of expression, respect for constitutions, presidential term limits, and the participation of youth and women in political institutions.

This consultation engaged a diverse range of participants, including young people and civil society actors. It was enriched by two webinars on citizen participation and the resurgence of coups in Africa, as well as a X Space discussion on citizen monitoring during elections. A total of fifty contributions in French and English were collected across five major themes.

The Online Citizen Consultation:

• 5 themes
• Over 60 contributions
• 5 webinars
• 1 report
• 2 languages

A booklet compiling the main contributions was published to showcase the relevance and diversity of opinions and perspectives.

Hackathon #Innov4Democracy: A Technology Innovation Hub for Democracy

The #Innov4Democracy hackathon was designed to stimulate innovation and develop technological solutions that promote democratic governance. This pan-African competition brought together talents and innovators using digital technology to tackle civic challenges.

Among the outcomes, web platforms and mobile applications were created to encourage citizen participation, improve access to public information, and promote youth involvement in electoral processes. The highlight of the event took place on 21-22 May 2024 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where the Isika project from Madagascar won the hackathon. The winners, designated as “Charter Fellows,” each received a €5,000 grant and technical support from AfricTivistes.

Videos of hackathon beneficiaries on the mentorship programme:

1. Isika: https://bit.ly/4jJ6CA2 
2. Clic citoyen: https://bit.ly/4gdqbNN 
3. Nidoroualmewaafe: https://bit.ly/4hqP7D7 
4. Ratoma Tech: https://urlr.me/Ae9cJb 
5. Citoyen SN: https://urlr.me/mDtwAy 

Relive the hackathon in Abidjan: https://bit.ly/3PWjBAo 

AfricTivistes Champion of Governance and Democracy: An Inspiring Model for Africa

In a context where democratic achievements are under threat, AfricTivistes launched the AfricTivistes Champion of Governance and Democracy Award. This award honours a personality or entity that has made a significant contribution to democratisation and good governance in Africa.

The selection process involved an advisory committee, a selection committee, and an inclusive public vote. On 24 November 2024 in Johannesburg, the award was presented to Thuli Madonsela in recognition of her role in defending human rights and social justice in South Africa.

Democratic and inclusive process: https://bit.ly/3PQCNQc
Spotlight on the 5 finalists: https://bit.ly/3EmnZ9k
African civil society celebrates its champion: https://urlr.me/RUvuh2 

Beyond the achievements of its key activities, AfricTivistes has carried out advocacy actions, developed various communication materials, and established strategic partnerships. Among its initiatives are:

• A documentary film on the third peaceful transition of power in Senegal, in which the president of AfricTivistes emphasised the need to ratify ACDEG.
• A video illustrating the power of civic technology (civic tech) for governance in Africa, presented during the launch of the African Union’s ACDEG handbook for primary schools.
• A partnership with several organisations across Africa, including Siasa Place, with whom multiple advocacy actions were undertaken.

Through the Charter Project Africa, AfricTivistes has paved a new path for citizen participation in Africa. By combining technological innovation, civic engagement, and collaborative action, these initiatives remind us that the future of African democracy relies on active citizen involvement. These efforts are just the beginning of transforming citizens’ aspirations into tangible realities.