One Young World Enterprising Futures Scholarship 2026 | South Africa | Fully Funded

The One Young World Enterprising Futures Scholarship 2026 is a fully funded international leadership scholarship offered in partnership between the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and One Young World. It supports young entrepreneurs and changemakers from eligible countries to attend the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa and participate in leadership development, networking, and global collaboration.

Scholarship Benefits
Selected scholars receive a comprehensive package that typically includes:

● Full access to the One Young World Summit 2026 where over 2,000 young leaders meet to share ideas and solutions.
● Return economy flights from your country of residence to Cape Town, South Africa.
● Hotel accommodation for the duration of the pre-programme and Summit dates.
● Visa costs and related travel expenses where applicable.
● Catering (meals during the programme) including breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
● Transport support between Summit accommodation and the venue.
● Participation in a pre-programme organised by the Dutch MFA, including workshops and leadership activities.
● Access to the One Young World Global Leadership Programme, Action Accelerator, and lifetime membership of the One Young World Ambassador Community.

Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet the following criteria:

● Be aged 18–35 years by the date of the One Young World Summit 2026 in November.
● Be leading, or actively involved in, a scalable start-up or small-to-medium enterprise (SME) with demonstrable social and/or environmental impact (as an entrepreneur or in a similar role).
● Be a national and resident of one of the eligible countries in Africa and the Middle East such as Ethiopia, Jordan, Lebanon, Mozambique, Uganda, Tunisia, Palestine, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Benin, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, South Africa, Burundi, Iraq (including Kurdistan region), Sudan, Mali, or Algeria.
● Have a working knowledge of English, as the Summit and all programme activities are conducted in English.
● Be available to participate full-time in the programme between 30 October and 7 November 2026, including all pre- and post-programme activities.

Summit Experience
Enterprising Futures Scholars begin by attending a two-day in-person pre-programme in Cape Town focused on leadership development, entrepreneurial skills, and networking. This is followed by the main One Young World Summit (3–6 November 2026) where participants engage in discussions with global experts, policymakers, and fellow young leaders.

Why You Should Apply
This scholarship is ideal for young entrepreneurs aiming to scale their ventures, gain international exposure, strengthen leadership skills, and build lasting global networks. It offers unparalleled access to a global platform of changemakers and expert mentors while supporting travel, accommodation, and participation costs.

Take Action
Prepare your application materials — including entrepreneurial achievements, business impact evidence, motivation statement, and any required references — and apply for the One Young World Enterprising Futures Scholarship 2026 before the deadline on 9 March 2026 to be considered for this fully funded leadership opportunity.