Applications are now open for the 2026 Young Leaders Fellowship, an initiative by the Coalition for Good Schools aimed at supporting emerging leaders working to prevent violence against children in and through schools. The one-year fellowship seeks to strengthen leadership capacity, foster collaboration, and elevate the voices of young changemakers from the Global South who are driving impactful solutions in education and child protection.

The inaugural cohort will bring together between eight and ten fellows from diverse backgrounds and organizations, creating a dynamic community of practice focused on advancing safe and supportive learning environments.

Fellowship Designed for Young Leaders Addressing School-Based Violence

The Young Leaders Fellowship is targeted at individuals who are actively engaged in initiatives aimed at preventing violence against children. The programme recognizes that effective solutions can emerge from a variety of sectors and organizational models.

Eligible initiatives may include:

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
School-based organizations
Community-led projects
Government-linked programmes
Social enterprises
Early-stage initiatives focused on child protection and education

The fellowship prioritizes commitment, vision, and impact potential rather than organizational size or maturity.

Programme Objectives

The fellowship aims to:

Strengthen leadership skills among emerging social impact leaders
Increase confidence in engaging with global policy and advocacy spaces
Enhance understanding of evidence-based approaches to violence prevention
Build a network of practitioners working across the Global South
Support fellows in refining and strengthening their initiatives

Through structured learning and peer engagement, participants will gain practical tools to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of their work.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

Age Requirement

Be between 18 and 35 years old at the time of application

Geographic Eligibility

Be based in and actively working within a Global South country

Professional Experience

Applicants should be:

Leading an initiative focused on preventing violence against children in and through schools, or
Making a significant contribution to an existing programme, nonprofit organization, or government initiative working in this area

Language Proficiency

Must be able to participate fully in English

Participation Commitment

Candidates must be able to:

Engage in regular virtual sessions across multiple time zones
Participate actively throughout the one-year programme
Attend an in-person convening during the fellowship period

Benefits of the Young Leaders Fellowship

Selected fellows will gain access to a range of learning and professional development opportunities designed to strengthen both leadership capacity and programme effectiveness.

Continuous Learning Opportunities

Participants will engage in regular learning sessions that connect field practice with current research and evidence.

Topics may include:

Leadership development
Violence prevention strategies
Programme design and implementation
Recruitment and personnel management
Compliance and governance
Effective pitching and communication

Learning activities draw insights from:

Academic experts
Civil society leaders
Government practitioners
Young people and children affected by educational challenges

Tailored Coaching and Initiative Development

A key component of the fellowship is personalized coaching focused on each fellow’s initiative.

Participants will:

Analyze strengths and weaknesses within their projects
Identify operational and strategic gaps
Assess scalability and sustainability challenges
Improve monitoring and evaluation approaches
Strengthen long-term programme planning

This hands-on support enables fellows to critically assess their work and develop practical solutions for growth and impact.

Exposure to the Global Violence Prevention Ecosystem

The fellowship provides participants with opportunities to better understand the broader landscape of violence prevention and child protection.

Through networking and guided reflection sessions, fellows will learn:

How influence operates within the sector
Who the key stakeholders and decision-makers are
Strategies for increasing visibility and credibility
Approaches to building partnerships and collaborations

These experiences help participants position their initiatives more effectively within national, regional, and global conversations.

Community of Practice and Peer Learning

One of the programme’s most valuable features is the creation of a peer learning community.

Each month:

One fellow presents a real challenge or innovation from their work
The cohort collaborates to explore solutions
Discussions are facilitated by experienced practitioners
Participants exchange practical insights and lessons learned

This collaborative model promotes knowledge sharing while helping fellows address real-world challenges in their organizations and communities.

Why This Fellowship Matters

Violence against children remains a significant barrier to educational access, learning outcomes, and child well-being across many regions of the world. Young leaders are increasingly at the forefront of designing innovative responses to these challenges.

The Coalition for Good Schools Young Leaders Fellowship aims to equip these emerging changemakers with:

Leadership skills
Professional networks
Strategic thinking capabilities
Evidence-based approaches
Increased visibility within the sector

By investing in young leaders today, the programme seeks to strengthen long-term efforts to create safer schools and more supportive educational environments for children globally.

Application Deadline

Interested candidates must submit their applications by:

4 July 2026

Prospective fellows are encouraged to prepare their applications early and clearly demonstrate their commitment to preventing violence against children in educational settings.

VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.