Call for Applications: Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs | Enterprising Futures Scholarship 2026 to attend the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town
Closing Date: 9 March 2026
Call for Applications: Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs | Enterprising Futures Scholarship 2026 to attend the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town
For young entrepreneurs who are leading scalable start-ups and small to medium-sized enterprises, with social or environmental impact.
About the scholarship
By 2030, more than two billion young people around the world will be shaping the future of their economies. This presents an exciting opportunity for innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable growth, especially in emerging and frontier markets. Young entrepreneurs are already at the forefront of this change, building businesses that respond to local challenges and create lasting impact in their communities.
Entrepreneurs play a vital role in strengthening local economies. By developing new products and services, growing innovative business ideas, and expanding into new markets, they help create more resilient and dynamic business environments. However, many young entrepreneurs still face barriers such as limited access to networks, resources, and international exposure.
To help address these challenges, the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Dutch Enterprise Agency (RVO), partners with One Young World to offer an annual scholarship for young entrepreneurs and business leaders. The scholarship is designed to support promising changemakers who are building scalable solutions to sustainability challenges and are ready to take their impact to the next level by connecting with a global community.
Enterprising Futures Scholarship 2026 recipients will attend the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town, where 2,000 young leaders from over 190 countries come together to share ideas, learn from global experts, and collaborate on solutions to today’s most pressing challenges. The Summit offers an inspiring environment to grow professionally, strengthen entrepreneurial skills, and build meaningful international connections that can support long-term success.
Overview
Applications are now live for the Enterprising Futures Scholarship 2026 cohort of Enterprising Futures scholars.
One Young World is looking for forty of the most trailblazing, impactful entrepreneurs who are leading or part of a scalable start-up or small to medium-sized enterprise with social or environmental impact. Applicants must apply through the application portal.
Please note that if longlisted for the scholarship, you may be invited to submit additional documentation, including references.
Eligibility
Candidates must be:
- Aged 18 – 35 by the date of the One Young World Summit 2026 in November.
- Leading or part of a scalable start-up or small to medium-sized enterprise (SME), with demonstratable social and/or environmental impact, either as an entrepreneur or similar role.
- Nationals of and residents of one of the following countries:
- Ethiopia
- Jordan
- Lebanon
- Mozambique
- Uganda
- Tunisia
- Palestine
- Egypt
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Kenya
- Morocco
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Benin
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Ghana
- South Africa
- Burundi
- Iraq (including Kurdistan region of Iraq)
- Sudan
- Mali
- Algeria
- All candidates will be required to have a working understanding of English, as both the One Young World Summit and Enterprising Futures pre- and post-programmes will be held in English.
- Candidates must be available to join the programme full time between 30 October – 7 November, as well as pre- and post-programme dates.
The Dutch MFA values an inclusive and diverse environment. The Dutch MFA encourages all young entrepreneurs (rural-urban) that are eligible to apply.
Expectations of selected scholars
Previous Enterprising Futures Scholars have helped conduct eco-system mappings to inform development programming, given advice on new initiatives and have been invited to share their experiences in various other events organised by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs or its partners.
As the Dutch MFA and would like to broaden its network of young role models and entrepreneurs in Africa and the Middle East, please note that when you have been selected to receive a scholarship, your contact details might be shared with Dutch embassies in the eligible countries. The Dutch MFA asks for the active participation of the selected candidates throughout the programme.
Click Here To Apply
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