The Systemic Issues Keeping Our Cities Unfriendly to Young People
May 10, 2025
If you’re in your final year of university or have recently graduated, you’re probably asking yourself a big question: What’s next?
You might be thinking about how to find meaningful work, enhancing your employability, how to make a difference, or how to apply your skills in the real world. At Node Eight, we believe you shouldn’t have to choose between impact and growth. That’s why we created the Eight Fellowship — a one-year, full-time innovation program that gives you the chance to work on real problems, build real solutions, and become part of a community that’s shaping Ghana’s future.
The Fellowship Experience
The Eight Fellowship is built around doing, not just dreaming. As a fellow, you’ll work in small teams to tackle real-world challenges faced by partner institutions across sectors like health, agriculture, education, and governance. You won’t just brainstorm ideas — you’ll bring them to life.
Each year is structured into four innovation sprints. Every sprint lasts 12 weeks, during which your team will go from understanding a problem to building and testing a working prototype. After each sprint, you’ll take a week’s break to reflect, learn from your users, and prepare for the next cycle. It’s fast-paced, hands-on, and deeply fulfilling.
Over the course of the year, you’ll sharpen your problem-solving skills, grow as a team player, and gain the confidence to lead and innovate — whether in your venture, in the public service, or within an organization.
What kind of impact are we talking about?
Take FarmHand, a solution from a previous cohort that connects farmers with trained labourers — including prisoners and unemployed youth to tackle the shortage of farm labour in rural Ghana. Or NutriScan, an AI-powered tool that helps health workers detect child malnutrition early, improving treatment and saving lives.
These are just two of the many prototypes developed through the fellowship — proof that young people like you can create real change when given the right support.
Why Should You Apply?
This isn’t just a gap year or a regular internship. It’s a launchpad.
- You’ll learn by doing. No long lectures or endless theory. You’ll work on real problems with real constraints and real deadlines.
- You’ll grow fast. Gain in-demand skills in product development, research, teamwork, design thinking, and innovation strategy.
- You’ll meet great people. From industry experts and mentors to driven peers, you’ll build a network that lasts beyond the fellowship.
- You’ll do meaningful work. Everything you build has the potential to improve lives, communities, and systems in Ghana.
If you’re tired of just talking about change, and ready to start creating it, this is for you.
Who We’re Looking For
We’re on the hunt for curious, committed, and creative young people from all backgrounds.
Whether you’re a:
- Developer who can code up prototypes,
- Designer who can bring user experiences to life,
- Social scientist who knows how to dig deep into problems,
- Engineer who builds with purpose,
- Entrepreneur bursting with ideas…
…or simply someone who wants to build something that matters — we want to hear from you.
The ideal candidate is a final-year student or recent graduate (within the last 2 years), with strong analytical and creative thinking skills, a passion for social impact, and a hunger to learn and grow.
Applications Are Now Open
The next cohort kicks off in October 2025, and applications are now open.
📅 Deadline: June 30, 2025.
👉 Click to Apply Now.
There are limited spots available — don’t miss your chance to be part of something bigger.
You’re not just applying for a program. You’re stepping into a year that could shape the rest of your life.
