The MIDEVA
Impact Innovation
Fellowship (I²F)
A 6-month hybrid fellowship that equips early to mid-career African innovators to lead transformation in organisations or launch their own ventures. Fellows work on real-world challenges across impact sectors.
Applications open until 31st August
Overview
Africa is undergoing rapid transformations. Organizations and communities urgently need bold innovators who understand context, systems, and sustainability. The Mideva (I²F) Fellowship exists to meet this need ; equipping African leaders to drive change from within.
Our vision is to cultivate a new generation of African designers and innovation practitioners who accelerate organizational transformation, co-design inclusive solutions, and power emerging systems in sustainability, technology, and wellbeing.
Skill Development
Fellows develop and refine their skills in research, human-centered design, business and gain a broader understanding of innovation in practice.
Collaborative Approach
The fellowship bridges the gap between design education, industry, and impact by uniting diverse stakeholders to drive innovation.
Real-World Projects
Bring viable solutions to life through projects that address real challenges and create meaningful impact.
Clear Pathways
At the end of the fellowship, fellows transition to careers in design and innovation or embark on their journey in entrepreneurship and venture creation.
As an I²F Fellow,
you will:
Apply human-centered design & data
Learn mindsets and principles from experienced practitioners and leaders.
Collaborate on impactful projects
Work with peers, practitioners, and organizations on real-life projects.
Enhance essential skills
Develop leadership, strategic thinking, project management, and other 21st-century skills.
Explore emerging technologies
Learn about generative AI and innovative business models that can transform societies.
Discover best practices
Explore life-centered design, futuring, circularity, sustainability, and regenerative thinking.
Build your career
Establish credibility, brand, and community to advance professionally
Fellowship Programs
The 2025 Mideva I²F Fellowship will be hybrid (remote sessions and in-field experiences)
Hybrid Fellowship
Online & on-field experience
Ideal For:
Professionals seeking a hands-on transition into research, design, and innovation roles or looking to start ventures or initiatives within their domain
What You’ll Gain:
Practical experience applying human-centered design to real projects, core design skills (research, service/product, business, communication), proficiency in design tools and technologies, design leadership capabilities, project management expertise, and insights into cutting-edge design and innovation practices.
Plus:
Beyond the Fellowship: Continued Growth
Upon graduation, fellows receive ongoing design and coaching support to deepen their expertise in specific research, design and innovation areas or to start their entrepreneurial ventures.
Fellowship Programs
The 2025 Mideva Design and Innovation Fellowship offers two distinct 6-month programs
In-person Fellowship (Nairobi)
Accelerate Your Design and innovation Career in an in-person environment. Learn alongside others and interact with experienced practitioners and leaders.
Commitment:
3 days per week for 6 months
Project:
Pre-selected projects or topics
Learning model:
Remote Fellowship Track (Africa)
Drive Impact & Innovation from Anywhere. For professionals looking to apply human-centered design to real-life projects or kickstart their journey in Africa impact innovation.
Commitment:
15 hours a week (learning and practice) for 6 months
Project:
Cohort-inspired project, participant-inspired project, or Mideva-inspired social projects
Learning model:
Fellowship Structure
A comprehensive 6-month journey to develop your design and innovation skills
Our Approach
Facilitated learning and coaching sessions with experienced practitioners
Immersion in real-time design projects with partner organizations
Peer learning and collaborative working sessions
Immersion in diverse work environments
Practice of design leadership skills
Field and community immersion experiences
Learning Methods
Month-by-Month Breakdown
Month 1
Design Topics:
- Kick off Bootcamp (in-person & virtual)
- HCD in practice (Design Sprint)
- Life-centered Design
- Ethics in research
- Systems Thinking
Design Leadership:
- Leadership &
- DesignWorking in teams & collaboration
- Tools & Technologies
Month 2
Design Topics:
- Innovation & Opportunity Identification
- Project Scoping
- Project briefs & concept brief
- Research in practice
Design Leadership:
- Project Management Best Practices
- Systems Leadership
- Creating Presentations
Month 3
Design Topics:
- Design Research
- Remote research
- Research with AI
- Synthesis & Insight Generation
Design Leadership:
- Data & Decisions
- Workshop facilitation
- Partnerships
Month 4
Design Topics:
- Prototyping & Testing with AI
- Behavioral Design
- Business Design
- Product design
Design Leadership:
- Relationship building
- Business Development
Month 5
Design Topics:
- Project Immersion
- Communication Design
- Sustainable innovations
- Systems Thinking
- Regenerative Futures
Design Leadership:
- Storytelling
- Portfolio development
Month 6
Design Topics:
- Project Immersion
- Report development and presentation
- Portfolio Development
Design Leadership:
- Building networks
- Innovation to Business
What the Fellowship Offers
A comprehensive experience to accelerate your career in design and innovation
Immersive Learning Experience
Gain practical experience in human-centered design, behavioral design, and other innovation methodologies through workshops, training, coaching, and real-world projects.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Participate alongside fellows from diverse backgrounds, including marketing, design, engineering, psychology, and business.
Portfolio
Development
Build a strong portfolio by working on real-world design projects and receiving feedback from facilitators and practitioners.
Industry Exposure
Learn about the latest trends, tools, and best practices in human-centered design and innovation across various industries and sectors.
Personal & Professional Growth
Enhance your creativity, critical thinking, empathy, communication, project management, and leadership abilities throughout the fellowship.
Mentorship &
Guidance
Receive mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals in human-centered design, including valuable insights and feedback.
This Year's Learning Projects
Fellows will focus on solving real-world challenges in these key areas:
Wellbeing, Health and Rethinking Care for the Future
Future of Work and Digital Transformation
Future of Food & Food
Systems
Towards A Sustainable and Regenerative Future.
Past Fellowship Projects
How might we build meaningful and exciting career pathways and income opportunities for young people in Africa?
How might we better support early-stage social entrepreneurs in East Africa to build viable and scalable impactful businesses?
How might we better support working mothers during their first 6 months of the Exclusive Breastfeeding journey?
Ready to Transform Your Career?
The Fellowship program will run between October 2025 and March 2026.
Please apply by August 31st 2025.
For any questions or inquiries, contact us at info@mideva.co
Let’s Work Together
Whether you are looking to bring an idea to life or you are looking to implement a complex impactful project, or you are looking to infuse design and innovation in your work, processes, teams, and projects, or you are looking to design and implement programs and services for innovators, we are here for you.
We help teams and organizations bring ideas to life through research, design and innovation.
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