IAU Office of Astronomy for Development

15/06/2026

Congratulations to the participants selected for the Hack4Dev Data Science Trainers’ Hackathon!

Over the next four days, trainers from 13 countries will come together to strengthen their data science skills, collaborate with peers, and prepare to lead hackathons and training initiatives in their own communities. Through this innovative train-the-trainer model, the programme is helping to build local capacity, foster innovation, and create opportunities for the next generation of data scientists and problem-solvers around the world.

We wish all participants an engaging, productive, and inspiring four days of learning, collaboration, and innovation. We look forward to seeing the impact you will create in your communities and beyond!

Read more: https://hack4dev.org/hack4dev-to-accelerate-skills-development-and-innovation-across-13-countries/

African Astronomical Society BRICS Astronomy IDIA DARA - Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy Zindi

12/06/2026

Congratulations to the five new astronomy-for-development projects funded by Development in Africa through Radio Astronomy (DARA). The projects will be run by the 2026 DARA student teams in Namibia, Botswana, Ghana, Mozambique, South Africa, and Kenya. They will address urgent challenges within communities such as youth unemployment, gaps in STEM education, and rapid environmental changes.

The OAD will lead the coordination of the five projects, providing guidance, mentorship matching and evaluation support, ensuring the projects achieve their intended outcomes.

https://astro4dev.org/dara-funds-five-astronomy-for-development-projects-in-africa/

09/06/2026

We recently concluded our first in-person training session bringing astronomy for mental health to the team at Radio KC in Paarl. Participants were guided on how astronomy-based activities could be relevant within their own lives and communities.

For more information on our mental health facilitator training, visit our website.

The OAD hosted a training session bringing astronomy for mental health into a live, interactive community setting.

01/06/2026

You have set a new record! We received 250 applications by the deadline, beating the previous highest of 230 applications in 2013.

The IAU OAD Call for Proposals 2026 is now closed. The proposals submitted target communities in >90 countries around the world. Most proposals fall under Theme 3 (Knowledge and Skills for Development), while an equally large number of proposals fall in the category of astrotourism.

Thank you for your drive and passion to change the world.

An independent evaluation panel will review all proposals over the next few weeks. We expect to announce the results of stage 1 in early August.

28/05/2026

The Rites of Passage project uses wilderness therapy and mentoring to help young people discover identity, purpose and direction. Funded by the IAU OAD, the project used astronomy as a teaching and inspirational tool to build resilience and self-belief amongst young adults for positive futures.

The project is run by Usiko Stellenbosch in South Africa.

[astronomy, identity, youth, Africa, resilience, nature, wilderness therapy, mentorship]

27/05/2026

SOHO (Stars Offering Hope) is a project funded by the IAU OAD that is using astronomy to support mental well-being in Uganda's refugee camps.

The project uses astronomy as a therapeutic and educational tool to support the mental health and psychosocial resilience of youth in refugee camps. By combining night-sky observations, creative learning, and peer-led workshops, the initiative seeks to create safe, inspiring spaces where young people can rediscover curiosity, hope, and a sense of belonging.

It will also train community-based facilitators in basic astronomy and trauma-sensitive facilitation, ensuring sustainability and deeper impact. Through this approach, astronomy becomes more than science, it becomes a pathway to healing, unity, and future-oriented thinking in communities shaped by conflict.

https://astro4dev.org/stars-o%ef%ac%80ering-hope-soho-using-astronomy-to-support-mental-well-being-in-ugandas-refugee-camps/

[IAU, astronomy, astro4dev, mental health, wellbeing, refugee camps, Uganda]

24/05/2026

Closing Soon!!

Curious about astronomy? Turn your passion for the Universe into impact on Society.

The IAU OAD is looking for innovative astronomy projects to promote sustainable development. Seed funding will be awarded to proposals with high potential for making a positive societal impact using astronomy.

Past projects have used astronomy-based tourism to stimulate rural development, changed student attitudes towards STEM through the exciting lens of astronomy, mentored and supported girls to reduce school dropout rates, and even worked with prisoners to boost their morale and reorient values through an astronomy experience.

Applications can be submitted by anyone anywhere in the world, regardless of their qualifications in astronomy, although it is expected that the proposing team has access to people with suitable astronomy as well as development expertise.

Deadline: May 31, 2026
midnight at UTC-12

https://astro4dev.org/iau-calls-for-innovative-astronomy-projects-to-promote-sustainable-development/

The International Astronomical Union Department of Science,Technology and Innovation SA National Research Foundation
[IAU, grants, astronomy, development, education, tourism, gender, STEM]

21/05/2026

The OAD will be participating in the 2026 IAU CAP Conference (Communicating Astronomy with the Public) next week. The theme for the 11th CAP conference is "Democratising Astronomy Communication in the era of accessible Artificial Intelligence".

Azasiwe Mancwatela from the OAD will deliver an Invited Talk on "Evaluating Astronomy for Development" while Dr. Joyful Mdhluli will present "Communicating Astronomy for Development: Multi-disciplinary Approaches Across OAD Projects and Flagship Initiatives".

If you are attending the CAP conference, find the OAD team on the virtual conference platform.
https://capconferences.org/2026/programme/

[CAP2026, conference, scicomm, astronomy, communication, development, astro4dev]

18/05/2026

How can astrotourism support sustainable development, cultural heritage, education, and local communities?

Join our online Astrotourism Community Exchange on 27 May.

This 90-minute community event will bring together our community to:
Share experiences and best practices
Build collaborations and networks
Exchange useful resources and ideas
Whether you are already working in astrotourism or simply curious about the field, everyone is welcome to join the conversation under shared skies.

📅 Date: 27 May 2026
🕒 Time: 12:00 UTC
💻 Online

Register: https://astrotourism.astro4dev.org/astrotourism-community-exchange-2026/

Interested in sharing your astrotourism experiences during the event? Contact the OAD team: [email protected]

Department of Science,Technology and Innovation SA The International Astronomical Union
[astrotourism, astronomy, community development, tourism, IAU]

15/05/2026

The IAU OAD will be speaking at the DarkSky International session on "Nurture your well-being through the outdoors".

Join us on May 28 at 9 a.m. PDT for a webinar exploring the connection between the environment and mental well-being. We will discuss our ongoing research and preliminary results on how nature and the cosmos can support mental health and recovery.

Register now: https://darksky-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/Zk5oMr3cQbu6s5mdxT9nQw #/registration

Astronomy for Mental Health project: https://mentalhealth.astro4dev.org/

[dark sky, astronomy, outdoors, nature, mental well-being, science]