Applications are now open for the Young Leaders Fellowship 2026, a prestigious one-year leadership development program designed to support young leaders from the Global South who are actively working to prevent violence against children in and through schools. Organized by the Coalition for Good Schools in partnership with Raising Voices, this fellowship seeks to strengthen the next generation of leaders who are committed to creating safer, more inclusive, and violence-free learning environments for children worldwide.

The fellowship recognizes that violence in schools remains one of the most significant barriers to education, child development, and well-being. Across many countries, children continue to experience various forms of violence, including bullying, corporal punishment, sexual violence, and emotional abuse. Through this fellowship, participants will gain the leadership skills, confidence, networks, and exposure necessary to drive meaningful change within their communities and influence global conversations on child protection and school safety.

About the Young Leaders Fellowship

The Young Leaders Fellowship is a year-long program specifically designed for young individuals who are passionate about ending violence against children in educational settings. The fellowship brings together a cohort of 8–10 emerging leaders from across the Global South, creating a collaborative space where participants can learn from one another, share experiences, and strengthen their impact.

Rather than focusing solely on technical knowledge, the fellowship emphasizes leadership transformation. Fellows are encouraged to reflect on their leadership journey, strengthen their confidence, and develop the skills required to become influential voices in the field of violence prevention and child protection.

The program is built on the belief that effective leadership begins with personal growth. Participants will engage in meaningful discussions, peer learning opportunities, coaching sessions, and exposure to global experts who have dedicated their careers to advancing children’s rights and creating safe schools.

Fellowship Benefits

Selected fellows will receive a wide range of benefits aimed at supporting both their personal leadership development and the growth of their initiatives.

Leadership Development

Participants will engage in regular leadership-focused conversations that encourage self-reflection and personal growth. These sessions are designed to help fellows understand their strengths, navigate challenges, and become more effective leaders within their organizations and communities.

Increased Global Visibility

One of the fellowship’s major advantages is the opportunity to gain recognition as a global voice in the field of school-based violence prevention. Fellows will have opportunities to participate in policy discussions, expert seminars, conferences, and thought leadership activities that influence the future direction of the sector.

Access to Expert Coaching

Fellows will receive coaching and mentorship from experienced practitioners who have worked extensively in violence prevention, child protection, education reform, and leadership development. Participants will analyze their projects, identify areas for improvement, and develop strategies for long-term sustainability and impact.

Continuous Learning Opportunities

The fellowship provides ongoing educational programming that connects practical work with global evidence and research. Fellows will learn from academics, government leaders, civil society experts, and practitioners working in child protection and education.

Training topics may include:

Pitching and communication
Compliance and governance
Recruitment and personnel management
Program design and implementation
Monitoring and evaluation
Leadership and organizational growth

Field Exposure and Networking

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the global ecosystem working to prevent violence against children. Through networking events and guided discussions, fellows will build valuable relationships with practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and funders from around the world.

In-Person Convening

During the fellowship year, all fellows will participate in one in-person gathering. This convening will provide opportunities for deeper collaboration, networking, and collective learning among cohort members.

Who Should Apply?

The fellowship welcomes applications from young leaders who are already involved in efforts to prevent violence against children in schools or educational settings.

Applicants may be:

Founders of non-profit organizations
Staff members of NGOs
Community organizers
Social entrepreneurs
Education advocates
Government-affiliated practitioners
Leaders of school-based initiatives

Importantly, initiatives do not need to be large or highly established. Early-stage ideas and emerging projects are also encouraged, provided applicants demonstrate commitment and clarity of purpose.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Young Leaders Fellowship, applicants must:

Be between 18 and 35 years old at the time of application.
Be based in and actively working in a Global South country.
Be leading or significantly contributing to an initiative focused on preventing violence against children in and through schools.
Be able to fully participate in English.
Be willing to engage in virtual sessions conducted across different time zones.
Be available to attend the fellowship’s in-person convening.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on several key factors:

Demonstrated Commitment

Applicants should show sustained engagement with issues related to violence prevention, child protection, and safe learning environments.

Leadership Potential

The selection committee seeks individuals who demonstrate strong leadership qualities and a clear vision for creating change.

Ability to Influence the Field

Candidates should have the capacity or potential to contribute meaningfully to local, regional, and global conversations about preventing violence in schools.

Openness to Learning

Successful applicants will be curious, collaborative, and willing to learn from peers working in diverse cultural and geographic contexts.

The fellowship will also prioritize equity in geography and gender representation when selecting the final cohort.

About the Organizers

The Young Leaders Fellowship is powered by Raising Voices and the Coalition for Good Schools.

Raising Voices is a Uganda-based organization widely recognized for its groundbreaking work in violence prevention. It is particularly known for developing the Good School Toolkit and the SASA! methodology, both of which have influenced violence prevention initiatives across multiple countries.

The Coalition for Good Schools is a growing global network of practitioners, researchers, advocates, and funders dedicated to ensuring that every child has access to a safe, inclusive, and violence-free educational environment.

Together, these organizations bring decades of experience, evidence-based knowledge, and extensive global networks to support the next generation of leaders.

How to Apply

Interested candidates can submit their applications through the official fellowship application page provided by the Coalition for Good Schools.

Aspiring leaders who are passionate about creating safer schools and protecting children from violence are strongly encouraged to apply before the deadline.

Application Deadline

Applications for the Young Leaders Fellowship 2026 will remain open until 4 July 2026.

APPLY HERE

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