Scholarship Overview
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Overview
The WACSI Next Generation Internship Programme is a competitive professional development opportunity for emerging civic leaders from Benin, Mali, Cameroon, Chad, Ghana, and Nigeria. Interns are embedded directly into WACSI’s operational teams, gaining hands-on experience in strengthening civil society across West Africa.
This is not an academic scholarship but a paid internship designed to bridge the gap between education and professional work in the civil society sector. The programme explicitly targets young people seeking to strengthen their civic consciousness and build practical capacity for careers in development, advocacy, and social change.
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What Interns Do
Selected interns work within one of five operational areas:
- Capacity Development: Designing and delivering training programmes for civil society organisations
- Policy Influencing and Advocacy: Researching regional policy issues and supporting advocacy campaigns
- Knowledge Management: Curating and disseminating research, reports, and learning resources
- Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL): Tracking programme outcomes and supporting evidence-based practice
- Communications: Content creation, media relations, and digital engagement
Eligibility Requirements
The programme is restricted by nationality. You must be a citizen of:
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- Benin
- Mali
- Cameroon
- Chad
- Ghana
- Nigeria
WACSI emphasises professional capacity-building, so applicants should demonstrate:
- Strong interest in civil society, governance, or development work
- Relevant academic background or prior experience in your chosen operational area
- Commitment to returning skills to your home country or region
Note for Zimbabwe/SADC applicants: This programme does not currently include Zimbabwe or other SADC countries. Zimbabwean applicants should explore WACSI’s other regional programmes or consider the WACSI Research Fellowship which has broader eligibility.
Funding and Benefits
WACSI provides:
- Paid stipend for the internship duration
- Professional mentorship and coaching
- Direct exposure to ECOWAS and regional civil society networks
- Certificate of completion
- Alumni network access (WACSI alumni have gone on to leadership roles across West African CSOs, government, and international organisations)
The exact stipend amount is not published in the source materials. Applicants should download the full Terms of Reference for complete compensation details.
Application Process
Applications require:
- Download the full Terms of Reference (TOR) and application guidelines from the official WACSI website
- Prepare required documents (see Documents section below)
- Submit application by the deadline
WACSI does not specify whether applications are submitted online, by email, or through a portal. The TOR download contains complete submission instructions.
Key Dates
| Application deadline | 8 November 2026 |
| Programme start | Not specified (typically aligns with WACSI’s annual cohort calendar) |
Documents Required
Based on standard WACSI internship requirements and the reference to “application guidelines,” prepare:
- Completed application form (from the TOR download)
- Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2-3 pages)
- Cover letter explaining your interest and preferred operational area
- Academic certificates or transcripts
- Proof of nationality (passport or national ID)
- Two professional or academic references
Specific document requirements are confirmed only in the downloaded TOR.
Selection Process
WACSI evaluates candidates on:
- Alignment with WACSI’s mission and values
- Relevant skills and experience for the operational area
- Demonstrated commitment to civil society strengthening
- Regional diversity balance
Previous cohort announcements indicate competitive selection with multiple rounds of review. The 2026 cohort announcement noted WACSI welcomed interns from Nigeria and Chad, suggesting ongoing recruitment across eligible countries.
About WACSI
The West Africa Civil Society Institute is a leading capacity-building organisation headquartered in Accra, Ghana. Established in 2005, WACSI strengthens civil society through training, research, policy engagement, and convening. The institute maintains special consultative status with ECOWAS and has partnerships with the African Development Bank, Comic Relief, and numerous international development actors.
WACSI’s 2026 strategic priorities include digital security for CSOs, locally-led development, and shifting power from international donors to African civil society—themes interns will engage with directly.
Related Opportunities
WACSI concurrently runs:
- Research Fellowship Programme: For researchers on civil society issues (broader eligibility)
- Next Generation Technology Internship: For Nigeria and Ghana specifically, focused on digital security and civic tech
- CSR-Hub Digital Security Training: Short courses for CSO staff
Official scholarship page: https://wacsi.org/call-for-applications-next-generation-internship-programme-5/
You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships
