The selected leaders will spend five months learning from experts, coaches and a customised curriculum so they can strengthen their community. Lessons include community identity foundations, leading action-oriented programmes and sustainability.

Participants will also receive early access to new Facebook products, which are aimed at helping communities better manage and activate their members.

Participants will identify an important initiative that will create a positive impact on the broader world and develop a plan to mobilise their community around their goal.

Initiatives will be shared with potential partners, mentors and a panel of judges for the chance to be awarded funding and receive public recognition.

Participants will then spend three months executing their initiatives. They will collaborate with advocates and leaders in the community space and work with the Facebook team to bring their ideas to life.

Kiran Yoliswa, partner management lead for Middle East and Africa Community Partnerships at Facebook, says, "Facebook communities and their leaders are helping to resolve social challenges, sharing knowledge and information, while connecting with others that share their interests or passion for a cause."

"We've seen so many incredible communities from across South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria using our platform to drive change and provide support and encouragement for thousands of people; we're excited to offer their Facebook Community leaders this programme to help amplify their impact even more," concludes Yoliswa. 

How to apply

This programme is open to communities that have a presence in Facebook Groups with leaders who are 18 years or older. Communities must have existed for over one year and must have a minimum size of 1 000 members. Applications open Tuesday, May 4 and close Monday, 31 May. 

The Community Accelerator is part of Facebook's Community Leadership Programme, a global initiative that invests in people building communities.

To apply, individuals can click here. To find out more about funding, individuals are encouraged to click here.

For more information, visit www.facebook.co.za