Call for Submissions: Z Zurich Foundation Scholarship (Africa)

Deadline: 04-May-2026

The Z Zurich Foundation Scholarship 2026 is now open to support 25 young African changemakers working to help youth move from learning to earning through education, employment, and entrepreneurship. Selected scholars will receive fully funded participation in the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa, along with leadership development, networking, and possible access to a one-year fellowship opportunity.

Overview

The Z Zurich Foundation Scholarship aims to empower emerging young African leaders who are building early-stage initiatives that tackle barriers preventing young people from accessing education, decent work, and entrepreneurship opportunities.

The programme is focused on social equity, especially for young people in underserved and vulnerable contexts, and supports changemakers working on practical solutions that improve youth pathways from learning to earning.

What the Scholarship Supports

The scholarship focuses on initiatives that help young people overcome systemic barriers linked to:

• Education

• Employment

• Entrepreneurship

• Digital inclusion

• Future-ready skills

It also prioritizes work that advances:

• Economic inclusion of marginalized and displaced youth

• Access to safe and productive employment

• Youth mental wellbeing

• Climate-resilient and green livelihoods

This makes the programme especially relevant for applicants working at the intersection of youth empowerment, livelihoods, social inclusion, and sustainable development.

Why This Opportunity Matters

This scholarship is designed for young African leaders already creating impact through early-stage social initiatives.

Beyond attending the One Young World Summit 2026, selected scholars will benefit from:

• Global exposure

• Leadership development

• Peer learning

• Pan-African networking

• Collaboration opportunities

• A platform to amplify their impact

It is not just a travel scholarship—it is a leadership and ecosystem-building opportunity for young changemakers.

What Selected Scholars Receive

The scholarship provides full funding for participation in the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa.

Scholarship Benefits

Selected scholars will receive:

• Access to the One Young World Summit 2026

• Hotel accommodation in Cape Town from 1 to 6 November 2026

• Return international travel

• Meals throughout the Summit

• Local transportation between Summit venues

Summit Dates and Additional Engagements

The scholarship will support 25 young African leaders to attend the One Young World Summit in Cape Town, South Africa, taking place from 3 to 6 November 2026.

In addition to the Summit, the programme includes:

• A virtual pre-Summit programme for leadership development and preparation

• An in-person connection day before the Summit

• A post-Summit debrief session

These activities are designed to strengthen:

• Leadership capacity

• Collaboration

• Peer networks across Africa

Additional Fellowship Opportunity

Scholars may also have the opportunity to apply for a:

• One-year fellowship under the Z Zurich Foundation’s Global Changemakers Program

This adds longer-term value beyond the Summit itself and may help selected participants continue developing their initiatives after the event.

Who Is Eligible?

To apply, candidates must meet all of the following requirements.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be 18 to 35 years old by November 2026

• Be nationals and residents of African countries

• Demonstrate measurable impact aligned with social equity

• Lead an early-stage initiative

• Ensure the initiative is not supported by major corporate or institutional funders

• Be leading a formally registered not-for-profit organization

• Have a bank account in the organization’s name

• Hold a primary leadership role

• Be willing to actively participate in all pre- and post-Summit engagements

• Be ready to engage in collaborative learning and development activities

Who Should Apply?

This opportunity is a strong fit for young African leaders who are:

• Running early-stage social impact initiatives

• Working on youth employability

• Supporting entrepreneurship and livelihoods

• Improving digital access and future skills

• Advancing social equity

• Supporting marginalized, displaced, or vulnerable youth

• Creating green or climate-resilient livelihood solutions

How to Apply Strategically

To be competitive, applicants should clearly show both leadership and measurable impact.

Best Application Approach

1. Confirm eligibility
   Make sure you meet the age, nationality, residency, and organisational requirements.

2. Show measurable impact
   Clearly explain what your initiative has achieved so far, even if it is still early-stage.

3. Align with social equity
   Demonstrate how your work helps young people overcome barriers from learning to earning.

4. Highlight your leadership role
   Make it clear that you are the main decision-maker or founder leading the initiative.

5. Emphasize underserved groups
   If relevant, show how your work benefits marginalized, displaced, or vulnerable youth.

6. Demonstrate readiness to engage fully
   Show that you can commit to the pre-Summit, Summit, and post-Summit activities.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common issues:

• Applying without showing clear measurable impact

• Submitting an initiative that is already backed by major corporate or institutional funders

• Not proving your formal nonprofit registration

• Failing to show that you hold a primary leadership role

• Describing a broad idea without clear results or progress

• Ignoring the social equity focus of the scholarship

FAQs

1) What is the Z Zurich Foundation Scholarship 2026?

It is a fully funded scholarship for 25 young African changemakers to attend the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa.

2) What does the scholarship cover?

It covers:

• Summit participation

• Hotel accommodation (1–6 November 2026)

• Return international travel

• Meals during the Summit

• Local transportation between venues

3) When is the One Young World Summit 2026?

The Summit will take place in Cape Town, South Africa, from 3 to 6 November 2026.

4) Who can apply?

Applicants must be:

• 18–35 years old by November 2026

• Nationals and residents of African countries

• Leaders of a formally registered not-for-profit organization

• Running an early-stage initiative with measurable impact

5) What kind of work does the scholarship prioritize?

It prioritizes initiatives focused on:

• Education

• Employment

• Entrepreneurship

• Digital inclusion

• Future-ready skills

• Youth mental wellbeing

• Climate-resilient livelihoods

• Economic inclusion of marginalized and displaced youth

6) Does the programme include anything beyond the Summit?

Yes. It includes:

• A virtual pre-Summit programme

• An in-person connection day

• A post-Summit debrief

• Possible access to a one-year fellowship opportunity

Conclusion

The Z Zurich Foundation Scholarship 2026 is a valuable opportunity for young African nonprofit leaders working to improve youth access to education, decent work, and entrepreneurship. With full funding for the One Young World Summit 2026, leadership development support, and strong networking opportunities, it is especially useful for changemakers leading early-stage, high-impact initiatives focused on social equity.

For more information, visit Z Zurich Foundation.