Deadline: 02-Jan-23
Applications are now open for LEAP Africa’s Social Innovators Programme to empower and equip young African change makers with requisite skills and tools for building sustainable enterprises and scaling their innovations. This is achieved through business and online workshops, mentoring, business support services, coaching and networking.
Throughout the course of the fellowship year, LEAP builds the capacity, connects, and showcases the initiatives of selected participants, providing them with local & international funding and partnership opportunities
Award Information
- Most Outstanding Fellows Award: The Outstanding Fellow Award is the longest-running Award on the Social Innovators Programme and was instituted by the lead sponsor from inception to recognize that fellow(s) who has exemplified the tenets of sustainable social innovation and utmost professionalism throughout the fellowship programme.
- Innocent Chukwuma Social Entrepreneurship Award for Youth and Gender Empowerment in Southeastern Nigeria: The Innocent Chukwuma Social Entrepreneurship Award honors a distinguished SIP Alumni in Southeastern Nigeria who has excelled and made a significant contribution to the fields of youth and gender empowerment since completing the Social Innovators Programme.
- Mr. Seyi Bickersteth Prize for Financial Accountability: LEAP is opening the Seyi Bickersteth Award for Financial Accountability again to honour an outstanding fellow of the SIP who has translated the learning and professional insights acquired from the fellowship programme into upholding financial accountability, transparency, and sustainability in their social enterprise.
Eligibility Criteria
All of the following eligibility criteria must be met by applicants in order to be accepted into the Social Innovators Programme.
Citizenship/Residency
You must meet one of the criteria below:
- You are a citizen of an African nation OR You are a permanent resident of an African nation;
- Geographic Focus: Your current and future enterprise is geographically located in a local community in an African nation
- Leadership Experience: You have founded or co-founded a social venture(s) with at least one (1) year of impact;
- Age: You will be between 18 – and 35-years-old on February 20th, 2023;
- Language Proficiency: You are professionally proficient in English (spoken and written). applications must be completed in English;
- Program Commitment: You can commit to fully participating in the entire duration of the program between February 20th and October 26, 2023, which may include an in-person site visits in late June or early July, and up to 12 hours of virtual learning per month;
Applicants must be the founder or co-founder of a venture that has not previously participated in the LEAP Africa Social Innovators programme, and only one co-founder per enterprise may apply;
Participants should have no more than three absences in order to complete the program and graduate from the fellowship.
What type of person is an ideal candidate for this program?
Aside from the specific eligibility criteria listed above, the ideal candidate:
- The ideal candidate is the founder or co-founder of a social enterprise or social innovation. One who has a clear idea of the problem being solved? The ideal candidate is focused on providing a lasting, and sustainable solution to the problem(s) being tackled. Has come up with an INNOVATIVE solution and is willing to scale this innovation into an enterprise. The ideal candidate has demonstrated that their work/enterprise has had a measurable impact in advancing progress on the problem being solved. The Ideal candidates demonstrate respect and inclusion to other candidates irrespective of gender, nationality, education levels, races, or religions. They are eager to collaborate and share opportunities with others. Ideal candidates are open to learning from others, regardless of their experience level. They bring curiosity and an open mind and are willing to share their experiences and knowledge with their cohort.
For more Information, visit LEAP Africa’s Social Innovators Programme.