Funding up to $1000: Apply for the Young Leaders Conference
MCW Global, The Kofi Annan Foundation, and the Africa Alliance of YMCAs have collaborated to launch the Sawa Project, which aims to provide young mental health professionals, community organisers, and advocates in six Eastern African countries (Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda) with the skills, resources, and networks they need to drive change.
🌿 The Sawa Project: Empowering Young Mental Health Advocates
The Sawa Project is designed to uplift and equip young changemakers through leadership development, advocacy guidance, and seed funding. Its core goal is to support youth in launching powerful educational initiatives, awareness drives, and community outreach programs that improve access to mental health care and challenge social stigma.
This multi-stage program requires active involvement from selected participants across all phases, including an in-person conference, follow-up planning webinars, and the implementation of funded projects.
Program Benefits
📍 Young Leaders Conference – Nairobi, Kenya
This immersive three-day event will dive deep into the mental health landscape, exploring key challenges, opportunities, and leadership strategies. Sessions will also focus on building community impact, mobilizing resources, and advocating against stigma—while fostering connections among a network of passionate youth leaders.
đź’ˇ Vision Planning Webinars
After the conference, participants will join a series of three webinars focused on transforming their ideas into actionable project plans. These sessions will guide youth in refining their vision and preparing a final proposal for funding.
đź’° Funding & Mentorship
Post-conference, participants can apply for financial support to bring their projects to life. Up to 10 initiatives will receive funding, and each selected project leader will be paired with a dedicated mentor experienced in mental health to support implementation and progress tracking.
Don't miss out on the application deadline which is  23 May 2025.
Additional Information
Applicants must:
- Be between 25 and 35 years old at the time of the conference.
- Reside in one of the following countries: Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania, or Uganda.
- Be involved in the mental health field—either as professionals, students, or individuals with lived experience.
- Show active engagement in mental health through academic, professional, or community-based work.
- Have a genuine interest in leadership, professional development, mental health advocacy, and community initiatives.
- Be committed to strengthening their professional skills, gaining cross-cultural insights, and participating in networking and leadership activities.
- Be eager to expand their impact in mental health and contribute to ongoing efforts in the field.
- Demonstrate a clear understanding of how their current or future goals align with the project’s theme.
- Be willing to engage fully throughout all phases of the project, including pre- and post-conference activities.
- Be open to sharing knowledge, collaborating on initiatives, and supporting the creation of regional networks.
- Attend the full three-day conference.
- Participate in follow-up virtual sessions after the conference.
- Have reliable access to email and the internet to maintain communication with the project team.
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