Applications are now open for the 2026 Cohort of the AWF–Wall Youth Leadership Program

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Closing Date: 20 January 2026

Applications are now open for the 2026 Cohort of the AWF–Wall Youth Leadership Program

Background

For five years, the AWF–Wall Youth Leadership Program, a flagship initiative of the African Wildlife Foundation supported by the Wall Family Foundation, has been investing in Africa’s next generation of conservation leaders. What began as a bold vision has grown into a pan-African movement: 108 alumni from 30 countries, applying leadership, policy, and management skills to advance African-led conservation solutions across the continent and beyond.

The Call for Applications for the 2026 Cohort of AWF–Wall Youth Leadership Program is now open, across two fellowship tracks.

About the AWF-Wall Leadership & Management Fellowship

The AWF-Wall Leadership & Management Fellowship brings together young African professionals from the private sector, NGOs, the public sector, and community-based entities who are passionate about project implementation and leading impact in the environmental space, to impart them with transformational leadership and management skills for impact.

AWF looks forward to reading about your authentic leadership experiences and how you are contributing to on-the-ground conservation action.

To adequately prepare your application,read more about the program here.

How to apply

If using a PC/Mac, click the APPLY button on the right (If using a mobile phone, the APPLY button is on top). Once you click on the APPLY button, you will be prompted to CREATE AN ACCOUNT.
Go ahead and Create an Account with your official name and an email address we can reach you on.
Voila! Once you are in, proceed with your application. You can save your progress and Log back in with your email address and password at any time to continue.

Share your authentic story! AWF cannot wait to have you in the 2026 Cohort!

Eligibility

In a nutshell, you are a good fit for this program if you meet the following requirements.

The Fellowship seeks practitioners (employed, founders, volunteers) in the conservation space including but not limited to areas such as research, communication, science, HR, Finance, administration, law, community engagement, fundraising, program management, wildlife management etc. One does not have to be a conservation scientist but must demonstrate a clear interest and passion for a career in conservation regardless of background of practice.
Nationals of any of the African countries and currently living and working within Africa.
Age: 20-35 years.
Minimum of a diploma in any field.
If you are francophone/lusophone, must have basic English writing and speaking skills. Only applications submitted in English will be considered.