Generation Connect Young Leadership Programme 2026–2027 by ITU and Huawei
Organization: International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Programme: Generation Connect Young Leadership Programme
Category: Young Leadership Programme
Deadline: 23:59 CET on Tuesday, 31 March 2026
Funding: Initial grant of $5,000 USD, with up to $10,000 USD total
Location: Global programme with an in-person global Development Week in Geneva, Switzerland
Applications are now open for the 2026–2027 cohort of the Generation Connect Young Leadership Programme (GCYLP). The programme is run by the International Telecommunication Union in partnership with Huawei and is designed to support young digital leaders and changemakers working on community-driven digital development projects.
About the Programme
The Generation Connect Young Leadership Programme supports young visionaries from around the world who propose creative, far-reaching, innovative, and feasible community-driven projects aimed at building a more inclusive and empowered digital future.
According to the official page, ITU, in partnership with Huawei, provides guidance, training, and financial support to 30 young fellows per year so they can implement digital development projects in their communities. The programme also gives participants the opportunity to turn new digital development ideas into reality or expand the impact of existing projects.
Eligibility
The programme is open to young individuals aged 18 to 28 who are passionate about creating meaningful change in their communities through digital development. Applicants must be either currently enrolled in or recently graduated from tertiary education programmes in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) or closely related fields.
The official page also states that fellows should have strong communication skills so they can fully participate in the programme’s training sessions, networking opportunities, and events.
What Fellows Receive
Selected fellows receive a package of support aimed at strengthening leadership potential and increasing project impact. This includes virtual mentorship and leadership training sessions delivered by ITU and Huawei, in collaboration with other partner. Fellows also have the opportunity to take part in an in-person global Development Week in Geneva, Switzerland.
Each selected fellow is awarded an initial grant of $5,000 USD to implement a digital development project of their choice. At the end of the programme, the most impactful projects will receive an additional $5,000 USD for scaling efforts, bringing the total potential grant to up to $10,000 USD.
Number of Fellows
The official page states that 30 young fellows are supported each year through the programme.
Deadline
The application deadline is 23:59 CET on Tuesday, 31 March 2026.
Clarifications
For clarifications on the application and selection process, applicants are advised on the official page to refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) or contact GCYLP@itu.int.
Partnership
The official page states that the ITU Generation Connect Young Leadership Programme is a project of the ITU Telecommunication Development Sector in partnership with Huawei.
