The Z Zurich Foundation Scholarship 2026 offers an exceptional opportunity for young African leaders who are driving impactful initiatives that support vulnerable and marginalized youth in transitioning from education to sustainable employment or entrepreneurship. This prestigious scholarship will support 25 young changemakers from across Africa to attend the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa, scheduled to take place from 3–6 November 2026.

The scholarship is offered through a partnership between the Z Zurich Foundation and One Young World, an international organization that convenes one of the most influential global communities of young leaders working to address the world’s most pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges.

The Z Zurich Foundation Scholarship specifically focuses on empowering African youth leaders whose initiatives promote social equity through education, employability, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic opportunities. Selected scholars will gain access to leadership training, international networking opportunities, and a global platform to amplify their work.

Applications for the Z Zurich Foundation Scholarship 2026 open on 16 March 2026 and close on 4 May 2026.

About the Z Zurich Foundation

The Z Zurich Foundation is committed to building brighter futures for vulnerable populations worldwide. The foundation prioritizes preventive action in addressing some of society’s most urgent and complex challenges.

Its work focuses on four major pillars:

1. Adapting to climate change

2. Improving mental well-being

3. Enabling social equity

4. Responding to crises

These areas address systemic barriers that affect individuals and communities across the globe. By supporting emerging leaders, the foundation aims to empower individuals who can drive sustainable solutions within their communities.

The Z Zurich Foundation believes that creating lasting social impact requires connection, collaboration, and grassroots leadership. This philosophy underpins its partnership with the One Young World Summit.

About the One Young World Summit

The One Young World Summit is one of the world’s most prominent global gatherings for young leaders. Each year, the summit brings together thousands of young changemakers, entrepreneurs, activists, and innovators from across the globe.

Participants attend leadership sessions, networking events, and panel discussions led by influential global leaders from sectors such as:

• Government

• Business

• Non-profit organizations

• Academia

• Social entrepreneurship

The summit provides a platform for young leaders to exchange ideas, develop innovative solutions, and collaborate on initiatives addressing global challenges.

Through scholarships such as the Z Zurich Foundation Scholarship, One Young World ensures that emerging leaders from underserved regions have access to this transformative experience.

Why the Z Zurich Foundation Scholarship Focuses on Africa

Africa is the youngest continent in the world, with over 60 percent of its population under the age of 25. By 2030, African youth are expected to represent one-fifth of the global youth population.

Despite this demographic advantage, many African countries face significant challenges, including:

• Limited employment opportunities for young people

• Fragmented education and skills development systems

• Unequal access to finance and digital technologies

• Climate change impacts

• Economic instability and conflict

• Structural inequalities affecting vulnerable populations

These challenges create barriers that prevent young people from transitioning successfully from learning to earning.

Supporting youth-led grassroots initiatives is therefore essential. Young leaders who understand their communities are uniquely positioned to develop innovative solutions that address local challenges and empower others.

The Z Zurich Foundation Scholarship aims to identify and empower these leaders, enabling them to amplify their impact and influence systems that shape economic and social opportunities across Africa.

Overview of the Z Zurich Foundation Scholarship 2026

The scholarship will select 25 outstanding young leaders from Africa who are working on initiatives that support youth in overcoming barriers to education, employment, or entrepreneurship.

Successful applicants will attend the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa, and will also participate in a series of leadership development programs designed to enhance their capacity as changemakers.

These activities include:

• A pre-summit leadership preparation program

• Networking sessions with peers and experts

• A pre-summit connection day in Cape Town

• Post-summit engagement and reflection activities

• Potential eligibility for an additional leadership fellowship

The goal of the program is to help participants expand their leadership skills, strengthen their networks, and scale their social impact initiatives.

Scholarship Benefits

Selected Z Zurich Foundation Scholars will receive a fully funded package that covers participation in the One Young World Summit as well as additional leadership development opportunities.

1. Full Participation in the One Young World Summit

Scholars will participate in the One Young World Summit 2026, held in Cape Town from 3–6 November 2026.

This global event will allow scholars to engage with other young leaders, industry experts, and international decision-makers.

2. Accommodation

Scholars will receive hotel accommodation in Cape Town from 1–6 November 2026.

3. Round-Trip Airfare

The scholarship includes return international flights to and from Cape Town, South Africa.

4. Meals and Catering

The scholarship provides full catering throughout the summit, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

5. Local Transportation

Transportation between summit venues in Cape Town will be covered.

Additional Leadership Development Opportunities

Beyond summit participation, scholars will engage in curated leadership development activities designed to deepen their impact.

1. Pre-Summit Engagement and Preparation Program

Between September and October 2026, scholars will participate in a virtual leadership development program that focuses on:

• Personal leadership development

• Preparing for effective participation in the summit

• Learning from expert contributors

• Developing strategies for scaling social impact

2. Pre-Summit Connection Day

On 2 November 2026, scholars will participate in an in-person event in Cape Town that allows participants to:

• Connect with fellow scholars

• Align on shared goals

• Engage with the Z Zurich Foundation

3. Post-Summit Debrief Session

A post-summit online session will take place in late November 2026, allowing scholars to reflect on their experiences and plan future impact strategies.

4. Opportunity for Post-Summit Fellowship

Scholars will also have the opportunity to apply for a one-year Post-Summit Fellowship through the Z Zurich Foundation Global Changemakers Program.

This fellowship provides additional support and capacity-building resources to help leaders scale their initiatives.

Only a limited number of scholars will be selected for this additional opportunity.

Focus Areas for the Scholarship

The Z Zurich Foundation is seeking leaders who are implementing initiatives that help vulnerable youth transition successfully from education to employment or entrepreneurship.

Priority focus areas include the following.

1. Youth Employability

Initiatives that support young people in accessing meaningful employment opportunities.

Examples include:

• Aligning education and vocational training with labor market demands

• Improving pathways from education to employment

• Addressing barriers that prevent young people from completing education

2. Youth Entrepreneurship

Programs that enable youth to create sustainable livelihoods through entrepreneurship.

These initiatives may focus on:

• Financial literacy

• Access to funding

• Business development support

• Income generation strategies

3. Digital Inclusion and Future of Work

Projects that help bridge the digital divide by:

• Expanding access to digital technologies

• Building digital and future-ready skills

• Connecting youth with emerging employment opportunities

Learn more about our work: Social equity | Z Zurich Foundation.

Cross-Cutting Priorities

Across all focus areas, the Z Zurich Foundation is particularly interested in initiatives that:

• Promote safe, decent, and productive employment

• Support displaced or refugee youth

• Empower marginalized communities

• Improve youth mental well-being

• Strengthen climate-resilient and green livelihoods

• Create opportunities in rural or agricultural sectors

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following criteria to qualify for the scholarship.

1. Age between 18 and 35 years by the date of the summit in November 2026.

2. Must be nationals and residents of African countries.

3. Demonstrate measurable impact aligned with the Enabling Social Equity pillar of the Z Zurich Foundation.

4. Be leading an early-stage initiative that does not yet have major corporate or institutional funding.

5. Lead a formally registered organization with a not-for-profit mission.

6. The organization must have a bank account registered in its name.

7. Serve in a primary leadership role within the initiative.

8. Commit to participating in the Pre-Summit Engagement and Preparation Program.

9. Participate in the Post-Summit Debrief Session.

10. Be willing to actively collaborate and engage with fellow scholars before, during, and after the summit.

Application Deadline

The deadline to apply for the Z Zurich Foundation Scholarship 2026 is 4 May 2026.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications early.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit their application through the Official One Young World Application Platform.

Applications will be reviewed based on:

• Leadership potential

• Social impact of the applicant’s initiative

• Alignment with the foundation’s social equity goals

• Commitment to community development

Click HERE to learn more about the Z Zurich Foundation Scholarship 2026.

Discover more global Scholarship opportunities on OFY HERE.