Exciting 3-month leadership programme to develop young leaders: Apply now for the Commonwealth Young Leaders Fellowship

Ednah Carrick July 13, 2026

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Closing Date: 19 July 2026

Exciting 3-month leadership programme to develop young leaders: Apply now for the Commonwealth Young Leaders Fellowship

Applications Now Open!

The Commonwealth Young Leaders Fellowship is now accepting applications for its inaugural cohort.

This 3-month leadership programme is designed to develop young leaders through immersive learning, international collaboration, and practical experience to advance sustainable development.

Whether you are driving change in your community, championing innovation, or shaping public policy, this Fellowship offers an opportunity to strengthen your leadership, expand your global network, and join a community of emerging leaders committed to creating a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Commonwealth.

Commonwealth Young Leaders Fellowship

Developing the Next Generation of Commonwealth Leaders

Empowering exceptional young leaders from across the Commonwealth with the knowledge, networks, and practical experience to lead transformative change in their communities and beyond.

About the Fellowship

The Commonwealth Young Leaders Fellowship is a flagship leadership development programme of the Commonwealth Leaders Academy. It equips emerging leaders with the skills, international exposure, and collaborative networks required to address complex challenges and contribute meaningfully to sustainable development across the Commonwealth.

The Commonwealth Young Leaders Fellowship (CYLF) is a flagship leadership development programme designed to equip young leaders across the Commonwealth with practical leadership competencies that are valuable in the workplace, public service, entrepreneurship, and community leadership. Through leadership training, tailored mentorship, cross-border collaboration, professional placements and community action projects, CYLF equips emerging leaders to solve pressing challenges facing Commonwealth nations while advancing the values of the Commonwealth Charter

Fellowship Experience

Develop your leadership potential through an immersive fellowship that combines learning, mentorship, international collaboration, and practical leadership experience to equip emerging leaders to create lasting impact across the Commonwealth.

Leadership Development
International Exposure
Mentorship & Coaching
Commonwealth Network
Practical Impact Project

The Fellowship at a glance

A competency framework covering five core leadership competencies.
A Leadership Challenge Project requiring Fellows to design and implement a local intervention connected to a Commonwealth-wide theme.
Mentorship from senior practitioners, policymakers, and institutional partners.
Two in-person convenings, one in the United Kingdom and one in Antigua and Barbuda.

3 Months Duration

August – October, 2026

Month 1 – Onboarding and immersion week
Month 2 – Institutional placement
Month 3 – National-level project implementation
Climax – Final showcase

Themes

Democratic Governance and Civic Participation
Digital Inclusion
Peacebuilding
Sustainable Development and Climate Justice
Public Service

Who Should Apply

The Fellowship is open to young people (typically 18 – 35) from Commonwealth member states who demonstrate a track record of, or strong commitment to, community leadership, public service, or social impact work. Applicants should be prepared to commit to the full 3-month period of the Fellowship, including the two in-person convenings described below

Travel and Logistics

Selected fellows must plan for two separate international travels during the Fellowship cycle: one week in the United Kingdom (late August), hosted at partner institutions in London, and one week in Antigua and Barbuda, to participate in activities at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

Support Available

The Fellowship secretariat will provide invitation and support letters for visa applications for both in-person convenings.
Where funding partnerships are confirmed, partial travel bursaries or accommodation support may be made available to Fellows on a needs basis. Details will be communicated directly to shortlisted applicants.
Fellows are encouraged to explore co-funding from their home institutions, employers, or national youth agencies to offset personal costs.
For questions on eligibility, logistics, or the application process, applicants should contact the CYLF programme secretariat directly at [email protected]