Applications are now open for the 2026 Sir Cyril Taylor Young African Leaders Program, an initiative of the AFS Youth Assembly supported by the Sir Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation. The program is designed to identify, support, and amplify the work of outstanding young changemakers from Sub-Saharan Africa who are driving sustainable development in their communities.

Now in its second edition, the program will select 10 young African leaders aged 18 to 35 and provide them with a comprehensive package of leadership development, global exposure, mentorship, and seed funding to strengthen and scale their impact initiatives.

Africa’s youthful population represents a powerful force for innovation and change. This program responds to that potential by investing directly in young leaders who are already working on solutions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Selected participants will be formally recognized as Sir Cyril Taylor Young African Leaders and will join a growing pan-African network of social impact leaders.

Program Highlights and Benefits

Participants selected for the 2026 cohort will receive:

• Enrollment in the AFS Global Competence Certificate (GCC) program, delivered virtually prior to the Youth Assembly, to build intercultural and leadership skills

• Participation in pre-Youth Assembly preparation workshops

• Full participation in the AFS Youth Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, taking place from 12–14 August 2026, alongside hundreds of young leaders from more than 100 countries

• Special recognition at the AFS Youth Assembly Closing Ceremony

• Participation in the “Effect+ in the Community” intensive workshop in Switzerland, focused on changemaking, leadership, and scalable impact models

• Seed funding and mentorship to implement a community impact project over a six-month period

After returning home, each selected leader is expected to replicate the Effect+ in the Community workshop locally, reaching at least 100 young people and creating a multiplier effect for sustainable development at the grassroots level.

Application Details

• Application Deadline: 20 February 2026

• Program Dates: August 2026 (Geneva, Switzerland)

• Selection Process: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and early submission is strongly encouraged due to visa processing timelines

This opportunity is ideal for young African leaders seeking international exposure, leadership growth, funding support, and a global platform to scale their community impact.

Scroll down for more details and click on the official link attached to apply for this opportunity.