A big part of our work at the DGMT Innovation Fellowship is reflection, and as 2025 comes to an end we look back on an incredibly energising journey. From graduating Cohort 7 to immediately beginning with Cohort 8, to strengthening our alumni network and refreshing our learning approach with insights gathered from fellows during feedback sessions, this year pushed us to question why we do this work, how inclusive our programme is, and the kind of impact it has on fellows, their organisations, and the wider sector.
We began the year by deepening our fellowship practice. Our immersion planning process helped us rethink how we hold space for honest learning, experimentation and connection, while also being able to support fellows when things get messy. These shifts were shaped by thoughtful contributions from fellows now in the alumni community, who generously shared their experiences and ideas with us. This year also brought new energy into the team. One of our biggest highlights was celebrating the graduation of Cohort 7 after an incredible and challenging journey, and then welcoming Cohort 8 with a refreshed recruitment strategy. Their courage and willingness to stretch themselves reminded us of the power of learning in community and the ways our fellows show up as animators in their organisations. Many are already experimenting, applying new ideas and pushing the boundaries of impact. We are excited to see how they continue to grow in the coming year.
We also strengthened our alumni network in a more intentional and grounded way. We recruited alumni representatives who volunteered themselves for the role and have already begun thorough research and sensing work on how we can collectively build a stronger, self-running network. In addition to this, we launched our alumni peer-to-peer mentorship programme, beginning with orientation and mentor training sessions. The programme will continue into next year and create new pathways for shared learning, support and leadership across the network, and we are excited about the impact it may bring. Looking ahead, we are encouraged by what this year has shown us. We received applications from every province in South Africa, and with applications opening again in January, we hope to see even more interest from rural-based organisations and organisations working in social justice. At the same time, we recognise that we still have work to do in reaching rural organisations whose voices and innovations are essential in shaping the future of our sector. We remain committed to widening our reach and creating more pathways for rural changemakers to join the Fellowship.
Thank you to every fellow, mentor, alumni representative and partner who contributed to the Fellowship’s journey this year.
Wishing you a peaceful, nourishing and joyful holiday season. Here’s to returning rested and ready for another year of learning and possibility together.