The Risktakers Fellowship aims to explore the possibilities and what-ifs that enable re-imagining the status quo through a wide range of voices and perspectives. It supports people from Europe and the Mediterranean who, facing the multiple crises of our time, dare to dream and plan equal and diverse futures in the digital space and beyond – for example, by creating digital tools, developing artistic projects or by increasing the visibility and representation of their community.
The organisers are looking for individuals who rethink our dominant systems and practices by imagining alternative approaches and new possibilities for desirable digital futures. Their artistic work or civil society engagement draws attention to social grievances and inequalities as well as showing possible ways out. With their ideas, prototypes, artworks and campaigns they offer new starting points for equal, inclusive and sustainable digital futures. Applications are encouraged from people who are underrepresented in tech or public and social discourse and therefore less likely to receive support for their work.
Each fellow will receive a stipend of €10,000 which will be disbursed at a monthly rate of €1250 over the course of eight months. The stipend will support fellows to work on their projects by providing the financial resources necessary to push their idea(s) further. In addition, each fellow will have access to a budget of up to €2000 for fellowship-related costs, such as mentoring, qualification, and travel expenses.
To support and integrate fellows’ networks, each fellow will receive €500 to spend on a Community Flash Grant. With this grant, fellows will be able to support and honour the work of a person or group in their community or communities.
The fellowship starts in March 2023 and ends in October 2023. In this period of time there will be digital check-ins to connect, share and discuss information on the projects and their processes. The fellows will be invited for a final gathering in Berlin at the end of October 2023.
