Funding and Mentorship Via People Powered Accelerator Programs 2025

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Applications are open for People Powered Accelerator Programs 2025. What if your ideas could inspire thousands? What if your community had the tools to fight the climate crisis, empower young people, or build fairer institutions – and you had the chance to make it happen? This isn’t a “what if.” It’s an opportunity!

People Powered is opening applications for three programs that are shaping the future of democracy around the world. Whether you’re passionate about climate action, youth participation, or reimagining how decisions are made, there’s a path here for you.

Why this matters

Around the globe, governments and communities are experimenting with bold participatory ways of making decisions – from climate participatory budgeting in rural villages to youth assemblies in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. But great ideas need more than passion: they need funding, mentorship, and global allies.

That’s where these programs come in.

Participants in the Climate Democracy Accelerator (CDA) will receive a $10,000 grant and five outstanding action plans will receive an additional $15,000. Democratic Innovations Accelerator (DIA) offers expert mentorship and peer-learning to strengthen youth participation programs. Rising Stars Mentorship provides personalized guidance to refine and implement participatory programs. Each program offers valuable dedicated training, support, mentorship, and resources to drive meaningful change. Don’t miss this opportunity!

People Powered Accelerator Programs Available

Climate Democracy Accelerator (CDA): People Powered is seeking government and civil society leaders to join a new cohort of innovators who want to launch participatory programs that shape climate policy, with a focus on regenerative agriculture, renewable energy, and just transitions.

Selected applicants will have access to a dedicated mentor to guide the development of their program, along with:

Step-by-step resources including the Participation Playbook , our interactive, online tool for designing participatory programs.
Practice-oriented live sessions, online courses and workshops.
Participation in a country-based peer group, facilitated by the in-country lead partner, for guidance, feedback, and collaboration.
Localized case studies and resources relevant to participants’ country contexts.
A $10,000 USD implementation grant for all participants.
The top five action plans in each cohort will receive an additional $15,000 award.

Eligibility Criteria: To be selected for this program, applicants must be from governmental institutions, civil society organizations or non-governmental organizations. The program prioritizes applicants from the five priority countries (Brazil, Indonesia, India, Mexico, South Africa), with additional spots available for participants from other countries around the world.

Democratic Innovations Accelerator (DIA): To help governments engage community members using innovative participatory approaches, with a focus on youth participation.

Eligibility: Open to applicants in the European Union and Horizon Europe countries only.

Rising Stars Mentorship: Rising Stars is the online mentorship program from People Powered that connects you with expert guidance to launch and improve participatory programs. We match advocates, policymakers and program managers seeking guidance (mentees) to on-the-ground experts who can address questions (mentors).

Eligibility: Open to global applicants.