Turning Ideas Into Impact
The Spice Accelerator is the flagship program of Spice Without Borders, designed to ignite the potential of changemakers from marginalized communities across East Africa. This intensive, mentor-led experience runs over three months, empowering grassroots individuals to transform bold ideas into purpose-driven, sustainable solutions that create lasting social impact in their communities.
Through a cohort-based approach, participants gain access to expert mentorship, hands-on training, peer learning, and global networks. Whether you’re just starting or seeking to scale your idea, the Spice Accelerator will equip you with the skills, tools, and confidence to lead change from the grassroots up.
“Build your own dreams, or someone else will hire you to build theirs.” ~ Farrah Gray
To apply, you must meet the following criteria:
We welcome applicants from all walks of life and do not discriminate based on gender, race, ethnicity, religion, socio-economic background, disability, or sexual orientation.
Tuition
Travel and accommodation are not included.
Duration & Structure
Travel & Accommodation
Participants are responsible for their own transport and accommodation. We recommend arriving the day before each physical session and leaving the day after to avoid fatigue and maximize engagement.
Our program blends theory with action. Each session is immersive, experiential, and customized to the participants in the room.
Session Highlights:
We support changemakers who see possibilities where others see limitations. Participants come from various backgrounds, including:
Social change impact begins with an individual — someone who chooses to look inward, to reflect deeply on their personal story, talents, struggles, and dreams. It starts when a person dares to believe that their idea, no matter how small, can spark transformation — not just in their own life, but in the lives of others around them.
Social change impact could look like:
🔍 An individual zooming into their personal life, uncovering a story, experience, or injustice that sparks a solution — a turning point that becomes the genesis of an idea for transformation.
💡 A passion turned into purpose — someone launching a social enterprise that addresses a pressing need while creating livelihoods, dignity, and community impact.
⚙️ A young innovator designing a simple yet brilliant technology that solves a real problem — from access to water, education, energy, or health — and reshapes the future for their village or neighborhood.
🧵 A grassroots leader setting up a safe space where underprivileged youth can learn basic skills, gain confidence, and reclaim their power to dream again.
🎶 A musician or visual artist who uses their voice, brush, or beat to challenge stereotypes, heal trauma, inspire hope, and open up new conversations.
🎥 A filmmaker, photographer, or blogger documenting the unheard stories of marginalized communities, shining a light on injustice, and making the invisible seen.
And sometimes…
🌱 It’s simply an individual who chooses to believe in their own capacity — who dares to take the first step, however uncertain, toward making life better for themselves and for others.
At its core, social change impact is the courage to act — to connect your personal story to the world’s pain and possibility — and to build something that matters.
Whether you are a builder, a dreamer, an artist, a coder, or a community weaver — if you’re using your idea to improve lives, challenge systems, and reimagine what’s possible — you are a changemaker.
And the world needs more of you.
If you’re driven by purpose, connected to your community, and ready to spark change—this is your moment. Join a growing movement of grassroots innovators who are rewriting the story of social change from the margins.
Apply now and turn your passion into purpose, your idea into impact.