Call for Experts: Shape Our Uganda Pilot
Description
Africa Creatives Alliance (ACA) is launching an ambitious pilot in Uganda in summer 2026 focused on advancing arts- and design-based collaboration as a tool for civic engagement, inclusion and social change. In parallel, the initiative will work to embed these practices within selected creative hubs and intermediary organisations, strengthening their long-term sustainability and enabling intermediaries to act as lasting facilitators of cross-sector collaboration between creatives, and various sectors and practices.
Across Africa, artists, designers and creative practitioners play a powerful—yet still underutilised—role in shaping public dialogue, community engagement, and inclusive narratives. This pilot responds to a clear gap: while creatives are often involved in campaigns and civic initiatives, their contribution is rarely structured, limiting long-term impact.
This initiative will develop and test practical methodologies that enable structured collaboration between:
• creative practitioners
• youth-led civic initiatives
• civil society organisations
• public and cross-sector actors
A key focus will be on shifting perceptions around refugee and displaced communities, with particular attention to the voices of women and youth.
At the core of the programme is the strengthening of creative intermediaries and cross-sector collaboration practices—ensuring that creative work becomes a systematic component of civic engagement, not an occasional add-on.
We are looking for two experienced expert practitioners based in Uganda to contribute to a training and pilot process. These are not entry-level participants, but professionals with proven track records, who should be able to:
contribute to training development
feed into the training with real case experience
contribute to methodology development
facilitate sessions during the training
engage in the co-creation and implementation of a civic campaign
follow up training and support to selected intermediaries/creative hubs
contribute to the creation of a knowledge data bank
The final type of engagement will depend on the profile’s of the selected experts.
Do you recognise yourself in this profile?
You may identify as an:
artist or designer
creative facilitator
cultural broker
intermediary
innovation practitioner
producer, process designer, “spacemaker” or “friction facilitator”
What really matters is not the title of a person, but the role: You are someone who brings different worlds together—and makes collaboration happen.
What defines the profiles we are seeking
We are looking for practitioners who can operate as nodes in an ecosystem—individuals who connect sectors, translate value, and enable collaboration.
You likely have experience working across:
creative practice (arts, design, storytelling, etc.)
civic or social sector (NGOs, advocacy, community work)
creative and other sectors (business, industry, innovation, environment, health, science, tech etc)
public institutions or cross-sector environments
Key qualities and capabilities wanted
1. Cross-sector collaboration experience
You have demonstrated experience working with:
NGOs or civic initiatives
public institutions
communities (beyond audiences, towards participation)
You understand how to co-create, not just deliver outputs.
2. Process-driven practice
You do not only produce content—you:
design or contribute to collaborative processes
facilitate engagement or co-creation
work across phases, stakeholders, and evolving dynamics
3. Translational capability
You can:
articulate your work beyond the artistic field
explain its relevance for:
behaviour change
community engagement
narrative transformation
connect creative processes to real-world impact
4. Ability to work with complexity and sensitive topics
Given the campaign focus, you demonstrate:
ethical awareness and emotional intelligence
experience engaging with complex or sensitive themes
ability to:
navigate conflicting narratives
avoid simplification or stereotyping
engage respectfully with lived experience
5. Collaborative mindset
Your work reflects:
shared ownership rather than individual authorship
long-term or repeat collaborations
learning from others and contributing to collective outcomes
6. Reflexivity and learning orientation
You show:
ability to reflect on your own practice
openness to feedback and iteration
experience with evolving or experimental processes
7. Communication and engagement capacity
Your work demonstrates the ability to:
engage audiences emotionally
reframe perspectives
create dialogue and participation
shifting perceptions, not just informing.
8. Professional reliability
You are able to:
work within structured processes
collaborate with intermediaries and institutions
maintain clarity, communication, and commitment
How to apply / express interest
If you feel that this profile resonates with your practice, we invite you to get in touch.
Please send:
• a short bio / CV
• 1/2 -1 page description of a maximum of 2 relevant projects, collaborations or case examples demonstrating how you have applied your artistic and/or design-related skills, methods or practices in collaboration with actors from other sectors or fields of practice (such as civic engagement, community development, education, health, entrepreneurship, innovation, social impact, public institutions, business, etc.). The examples should illustrate how creative practices contributed to the co-creation of processes, products, services, experiences, campaigns, methodologies, or organisational/community solutions.
For each example, please include: a) context and partners involved b) your role and contribution, c) how the collaboration process was structured and facilitated d) outcomes and impact generated e) key learnings, including challenges encountered and what you would do differently
CONTACT DETAILS ACA
Final note
This is a unique opportunity to contribute to:
• shaping how arts and design-based collaboration is structured in civic contexts
• building new methodologies for Africa-wide application
• positioning creative practice as a driver of social change and democratic engagement
• We are looking forward to connecting with practitioners who are ready to work across boundaries—and help redefine them.