Young changemakers from Sub-Saharan Africa can now apply for the third edition of the Sir Cyril Taylor Young African Leaders Program, a fully funded, 12-month leadership fellowship run by AFS Youth Assembly with support from the Sir Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation. Only 10 leaders aged 18–35 will be selected. They receive training, a trip to Geneva, Switzerland, and seed funding for a community project. Applications close on 19 November 2026 at 23:59 UTC.
Apply early: applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, and Swiss visas can take months. The last edition received almost 6,000 applications for 10 places.
Key Details
- Organiser: AFS Youth Assembly, funded by the Sir Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation
- Places: 10
- Duration: 12 months, fully funded
- Travel: AFS Youth Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, August 2027
- Who: ages 18–35 from Sub-Saharan Africa
- Deadline: 19 November 2026, 23:59 UTC (00:59 WAT / 02:59 EAT on 20 November)
Past fellows came from Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, Mali, South Africa, Ghana, Malawi and Namibia.
Benefits
- travel and accommodation to attend the AFS Youth Assembly in Geneva (August 2027) — 700–900 young leaders from over 100 countries
- the AFS Global Competence Certificate, a virtual course in intercultural skills
- pre-Assembly preparation workshops
- the “Effect+ in the Community” intensive changemaker workshop in Switzerland
- seed funding to run your own impact project for six months, with mentorship from the Youth Assembly Impact Network
- formal recognition as a Sir Cyril Taylor Young African Leader at the Assembly’s closing ceremony
What You Commit To
After Geneva, each leader must run the “Effect+ in the Community” workshop for at least 100 young people in their community, then carry out a six-month impact project using the seed funding.
Eligibility
- aged 18–35
- from a Sub-Saharan African country
- an unexpired passport
- proven leadership or clear leadership potential
- leading a social impact project linked to the SDGs (preferred)
- intermediate English
- able to travel to Geneva in August 2027
- genuine interest in global affairs, sustainable development and youth issues
How to Apply
- Read the full call on the official AFS Youth Assembly page.
- Make sure your passport is valid well beyond August 2027.
- Prepare a short description of your project: the problem, who it serves, results so far and how seed funding would help.
- Complete the official application form — in your own words; AFS strongly discourages using AI to write your answers.
- Submit as early as possible, and before 19 November 2026, 23:59 UTC.
Tips
- Use numbers: people reached, events held, money raised.
- Show how you will train 100 young people back home.
- Link your project clearly to one or two SDGs.
- Check Swiss visa appointment times in your country now.
Related Opportunities
- Umholi we Africa Fellowship Cohort 5 (Fully Funded)
- World Food Forum Youth Policy Board 2027–2028
- UNDP Young Africa Innovates 2026–2027
Deadline: 19 November 2026, 23:59 UTC. First come, first served.
