Brand South Africa Play Your Part Bursary Programme

The Brand South Africa Play Your Part Bursary Programme 2026 supports young South Africans who are actively contributing to their communities and demonstrating positive citizenship. Six selected applicants will receive support to attend the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town, along with leadership development, networking, and long-term participation opportunities.

About the Play Your Part Bursary Programme

The Play Your Part Bursary is offered by Brand South Africa in partnership with One Young World. The initiative is designed to recognise young people who are taking practical action to address social, economic, community, or development challenges in South Africa.

The programme forms part of Brand South Africa’s broader Play Your Part initiative, which promotes active citizenship and encourages South Africans to contribute to positive change.

For 2026, the bursary will provide six young people with the opportunity to participate in the One Young World Summit in Cape Town.

What Is the One Young World Summit?

The One Young World Summit brings together young leaders from different countries to exchange ideas, develop leadership skills, and collaborate on solutions to global and local challenges.

Through the Play Your Part Bursary, selected South African participants will be able to connect with other emerging leaders and expand their networks while representing South Africa at the international summit.

What Does the Bursary Provide?

Six successful applicants will receive support to participate in the One Young World Summit 2026.

The bursary includes:

• Access to the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town.
• Travel support where required.
• Accommodation where required.
• Catering during the summit.
• Access to the One Young World Global Leadership Programme.
• Participation in the Action Accelerator programme.
• Lifetime membership of the One Young World Ambassador Community.
• Opportunities to connect with young leaders, organisations, and potential collaborators.

Three bursaries are specifically reserved for candidates based in Cape Town, while three are available to eligible applicants from across South Africa.

Cape Town-based recipients do not receive travel and accommodation support where these costs are not required.

Who Is Eligible?

The programme is intended for young South Africans who have demonstrated active citizenship and meaningful community involvement.

Applicants must:

• Be South African nationals or residents.
• Be 18 to 30 years old at the time of the One Young World Summit 2026.
• Demonstrate active citizenship through practical community involvement.
• Have evidence of making a positive contribution to their community.
• Understand important social, economic, or development issues affecting South Africa.
• Be able to demonstrate the impact of their work, initiatives, or activities.

Applicants should be able to clearly explain how their actions have contributed to positive change.

What Does Active Citizenship Mean?

Active citizenship refers to taking practical steps to improve communities and address challenges affecting society.

Examples may include:

• Community development initiatives.
• Youth empowerment projects.
• Education and skills-development programmes.
• Environmental activities.
• Social entrepreneurship.
• Volunteer activities.
• Campaigns addressing social issues.
• Projects supporting disadvantaged communities.
• Initiatives promoting inclusion and equal opportunities.
• Local development and community leadership.

Applicants do not necessarily need to lead a large organisation. Evidence of meaningful and sustained community contribution can also demonstrate active citizenship.

Selection Priorities

The programme is particularly interested in young people who can demonstrate:

• A strong commitment to their communities.
• Measurable or clearly demonstrated social impact.
• Leadership potential.
• Awareness of challenges facing South Africa.
• Initiative and responsibility.
• A willingness to collaborate with others.
• The potential to use the One Young World experience to expand their impact.

Applicants should focus on what they have done, who benefited, and what changed as a result of their work.

Geographic Allocation of Bursaries

The six bursaries are divided into two groups:

• Three bursaries: Reserved for candidates based in Cape Town.
• Three bursaries: Open to eligible candidates from anywhere in South Africa.

This structure provides opportunities for both Cape Town-based young leaders and candidates making an impact in other parts of the country.

Why It Matters

Young people play an important role in addressing South Africa’s social and economic challenges. Supporting young community leaders can help strengthen local initiatives while creating opportunities for collaboration and innovation.

The Play Your Part Bursary goes beyond attendance at a single event. Recipients gain access to international networks, leadership development programmes, the Action Accelerator, and the wider One Young World Ambassador Community.

This can help successful applicants build partnerships and continue developing their community-focused work after the summit.

How the Programme Works

The opportunity can be understood through the following stages:

1. Application: Eligible young South Africans submit their applications and demonstrate their active citizenship.
2. Assessment: Applications are reviewed based on community contribution, impact, leadership potential, and understanding of South African challenges.
3. Selection: Six successful candidates are selected, including three Cape Town-based recipients and three recipients from across South Africa.
4. Summit participation: Selected recipients attend the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town.
5. Leadership development: Recipients participate in associated leadership and networking opportunities.
6. Continued engagement: Successful participants become part of the One Young World Ambassador Community and can access longer-term programmes and opportunities.

How to Prepare a Strong Application

Applicants should prepare evidence that demonstrates their community contribution rather than relying only on general statements about wanting to make a difference.

A strong application should clearly explain:

• The problem: What issue or challenge did you identify?
• Your action: What did you personally do to address it?
• The beneficiaries: Who benefited from your work?
• The impact: What measurable or meaningful change resulted?
• Your role: What leadership or decision-making responsibility did you have?
• Future plans: How will the opportunity help you increase your impact?

Where possible, applicants should use specific examples, numbers, outcomes, testimonials, or other evidence to demonstrate their contribution.

Tips for Applicants

Consider the following when preparing an application:

• Clearly describe your personal contribution rather than only describing an organisation.
• Provide concrete examples of community impact.
• Explain why the issue matters in the South African context.
• Highlight leadership and initiative.
• Avoid vague claims such as “I want to change the world” without supporting evidence.
• Explain how participation in One Young World could strengthen your existing work.
• Keep information accurate and consistent throughout the application.
• Demonstrate continued commitment to active citizenship.

Key Programme Details

• Programme: Brand South Africa Play Your Part Bursary Programme
• Year: 2026
• Summit: One Young World Summit 2026
• Location: Cape Town, South Africa
• Number of bursaries: 6
• Cape Town allocation: 3 bursaries
• National allocation: 3 bursaries
• Eligible age: 18–30 at the time of the summit
• Eligible applicants: South African nationals or residents
• Main focus: Active citizenship and positive community impact
• Additional opportunities: Global Leadership Programme, Action Accelerator, and lifetime One Young World Ambassador Community membership

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for the Play Your Part Bursary?

Young people who are South African nationals or residents and are aged 18 to 30 at the time of the One Young World Summit 2026 can apply, provided they can demonstrate active citizenship and positive community impact.

How many bursaries are available?

Six bursaries are available. Three are reserved for candidates based in Cape Town, while three are open to eligible applicants from anywhere in South Africa.

What does the bursary cover?

Selected recipients receive access to the One Young World Summit 2026, travel and accommodation support where required, catering during the summit, access to leadership and development programmes, and lifetime membership of the One Young World Ambassador Community.

Is the bursary only for people who run organisations?

No. The programme focuses on active citizenship and community contribution. Applicants can demonstrate their impact through community initiatives, volunteering, social projects, entrepreneurship, advocacy, or other activities.

What is active citizenship?

Active citizenship means taking meaningful action to contribute to the community and address social, economic, environmental, or other challenges. Applicants should provide evidence of their contribution and its impact.

Where will the One Young World Summit 2026 take place?

The One Young World Summit 2026 will take place in Cape Town, South Africa.

What happens after the summit?

Selected recipients gain continued access to the One Young World Ambassador Community, as well as programmes such as the Global Leadership Programme and Action Accelerator, providing opportunities for ongoing networking, leadership development, and collaboration.

Conclusion

The Brand South Africa Play Your Part Bursary Programme 2026 provides an important opportunity for young South Africans who are already creating positive change in their communities. By combining participation in the One Young World Summit with leadership development, international networking, and long-term ambassador opportunities, the programme can help emerging leaders strengthen and expand their impact.

Young people with a strong record of active citizenship, community contribution, leadership, and social impact should consider applying and clearly demonstrate the difference their work has made.