By 
In
line with its mission to give people the power to build community around the
world and its commitment to supporting the community leaders who drive change,
Facebook (https://www.Facebook.com/) is announcing the
launch of the Community Accelerator programme which will be available in the
following countries across SSA: South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria.
An evolution of the Facebook Community Leadership Programme (FCLP), this
six-month accelerator programme provides training, mentorship and funding to
help community leaders grow their communities. Up to $3 million in total will
be awarded to 80 programme participants worldwide.
Selected community leaders will spend three months learning from experts,
coaches and a customised curriculum to create a plan to grow their communities.
They will spend the next three months iterating and executing on their plans, with
funding and support from their networks.
“Our mission is to empower the leaders who foster community – people who offer
support, encourage others and make real change,” says Kiran Yoliswa, Strategic
Partner Manager, Communities SSA at Facebook. “We are investing in leaders
because we believe and know they make significant contributions to today’s
social challenges, by sharing knowledge and information, and helping people to
connect with others that share same interests or passions for a good cause.”
In 2019 the Facebook Community Leadership Programme provided training, funding,
and support to 115 community leaders. The leaders reported that their projects
impacted over 1.9 million lives through online community support, the use of
helpful resources and other activities made possible by the programme.
The 12 community leaders from Sub – Saharan Africa said their projects impacted
over 80,000 lives. They included:
- Noah Kadima Nasiali (http://bit.ly/2TUL08I) Africa Farmers Club (Kenya)
- Felista Wangari (http://bit.ly/2IBf7wx) 52-Week Savings Challenge (Kenya)
- Pamellah Oduor (http://bit.ly/2W31Nci) Let’s Cook Kenyan Meals (Kenya)
- Asha Mweru (http://bit.ly/2W1wDBW) #WomenWorkKE (Kenya)
- Caroline Kihusa, Still A Mum (http://bit.ly/2TSe80m) (Kenya)
- Truphosah Monah, Women And Realities of Disability Society (http://bit.ly/2vafxqB) (Kenya)
- Anike Lawal (http://bit.ly/39Qy7U1), Mamalette (Nigeria)
- Mamadou Sy (http://bit.ly/2wMKIso) Docteur Nakamou (Senegal)
- Gabriel Hoosain Khan (http://bit.ly/2TYgcDQ) LGBTI community, Human Rights (South Africa)
- Lusanda Magwape (http://bit.ly/2TTIKyr), Dream Factory Foundation (South Africa)
- Nadine Maselesele (http://bit.ly/39Havki) Salt River High Tutoring (South Africa)
- Savio Lule Mark (http://bit.ly/2Q4cQhB) The Youth Hub Uganda (Uganda)
Facebook
also announced that it has built new tools to help community leaders add new
members and moderate conversations in their Groups. The improved membership
management tool improves how Group admins can manage new member requests, and
content moderation features make it easier for admins to see important posts
and find specific content.
The Community Accelerator programme is one of the many investments Facebook is
making in community leaders. The Facebook Community Learning Labs (http://bit.ly/2VWTyyx)
brings Group admins with similar goals together into a collaborative digital
classroom for structured learning, a dedicated Facebook team with experience
helps Group admins achieve their goals.
The Community Hub (http://bit.ly/334Z6Zc),
meanwhile, is a place where anyone can access product education and learn more
about Facebook’s programmes. It includes tips and tools for starting, managing
and growing a community.
If you run an impactful, established community, ready to grow using Facebook’s
apps and have the time and energy to invest in this programme, you can apply here (http://bit.ly/38KIJm0)
before 10 April 2020 if you are 18 years and older. Community leaders from the
selected programme countries, including those without a presence on one of
Facebook’s apps, are welcome to apply.
