October 2025 was a dynamic and busy month for the Shaping Futures Academy Programme, characterised by the application phase and planned changes for 2026.
It began with the launch of the application process for the Shaping Futures Academy 2026, which opened on 15 October. We continue to receive applications from mid-career professionals across selected African and European countries, particularly from civil society, academia and think tanks, public administration, business, and media—individuals who work on issues relevant to sustainable development and governance.
Due to necessary budget adjustments, the programme has undergone some changes compared to previous years. Notably, the 2026 Academy will accept applications only from five African countries —Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, Tunisia, and Zambia — compared to nine in previous cohorts. Applicants from European countries that are members of the EU, EEA, or the UK remain eligible. Additionally, the number of participants selected has been reduced from 25 to 18 for the 2026 Academy.
Amidst the planning and processing of applications, Lena-Marie Putz, who joined our team in March this year, travelled to Ghana to accompany the 2025 cohort for the second in-person phase in Accra. This phase featured two key modules: Leadership Module II (13–17 October) and Citizenship and Democracy (20–31 October). Dr Chris Büscher joined the group for the second half of the Ghana stay.
The Citizenship and Democracy module is designed and implemented for the second year in a row by our partners at the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana). This module provided an in-depth exploration of the development and current challenges of democracy across the African continent. As in the previous year, Dr Daniel Nowack from department „Transformation of Political (Dis-)Order“ at IDOS facilitated the Contested Democracy Lab with participants. This interactive session aimed to exchange ideas about the meaning and practice of democracy, challenge existing assumptions in the African context, identify opportunities for change, and explore co-creation of alternative democratic frameworks.
Lastly, similar to the EU + Alumni Meetup held in Bonn, Germany, at the end of September, where participants reconnected and discussed future collaboration within the network, alumni from Ghana and Togo gathered in Accra on 23–24 October for a regional meetup along with Chris Büscher, focused on knowledge exchange, networking, and collaborative initiatives. The programme included insightful visits to the Ga Mantse Palace and the CDD-Ghana office, where participants engaged in a discussion with the chair of the Constitutional Review Committee. This event provided a valuable platform for alumni to reconnect, share experiences, and explore opportunities for future collaboration.
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