Z Zurich Foundation Scholarship 2026 - Attend One Young World Summit in South Africa | Eligibility and How to Apply

Scholarship Overview

Eligibility

• Age: You must be between 18 and 35 years old by the date of the One Young World Summit in November 2026.
• Nationality and Residency: You must be a national of and a resident of a country in Africa. Both conditions must be met.
• Focus Area Alignment: Your work must demonstrate impact aligned with the Enabling Social Equity pillar of the Z Zurich Foundation, specifically through education, employability, or entrepreneurship solutions for youth.
• Initiative Stage: You must be leading an early-stage initiative. Initiatives supported by major corporate or institutional funders are not eligible.
• Legal Registration: Your organisation must be formally registered with a clear not-for-profit mission and a bank account registered in the organisation's name.
• Leadership Role: You must be serving in a primary leadership role within the initiative. This is not open to employees or secondary contributors.
• Programme Commitment: You must be committed to participating in the Pre-Summit Engagement and Preparation Programme (September to October 2026) and the Post-Summit Debrief Session (late November 2026), including reflection and inner development activities.
• Peer Engagement: You must be willing to actively collaborate and contribute to peer learning before, during, and after the summit.

Eligible Countries

• Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia

• Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo

• Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

• Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of Congo, Sao Tome and Principe

• Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe

Eligible Fields of Study

1. Youth Employability - initiatives that help young people transition into decent work by aligning education and vocational training with local labour market demand. This includes addressing barriers to education completion and transition.
2. Youth Entrepreneurship  -  Check the official website for the complete criteria under this pillar.
3. Digital Inclusion and Future of Work - Check the official website for complete details.

Benefits

• Summit Attendance: Full coverage to attend the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa, from 3 to 6 November 2026.
• Travel Costs: Confirm whether international flights to and from Cape Town are covered.
• Accommodation:  Confirm whether hotel or housing during the summit is included.
• Visa Support: Confirm whether visa fees or support letters are provided.
• Pre-Summit Programme: A curated preparation and engagement programme running from September to October 2026 to prepare scholars for the summit experience.
• Post-Summit Debrief: A structured debrief session in late November 2026 to support reflection and continued growth.
• Peer Network Access: Connections with 25 fellow African scholars and the broader One Young World global community of young leaders.
• Leadership Development: Inner development activities and structured peer learning throughout the programme.

Required Documents

1. Completed online application form
2. Proof of age (passport, national ID, or birth certificate)
3. Proof of nationality and residency in an African country
4. Description or profile of your initiative including its mission and impact
5. Evidence of formal registration of your organisation
6. Proof of a bank account registered in the organisation's name
7. Personal statement explaining your leadership journey and alignment with the Z Zurich Foundation focus areas
8. Letters of reference or recommendation from relevant community leaders or partners
9. Evidence of impact achieved by your initiative (data, reports, testimonials, or media coverage)
10. CV or resume highlighting your leadership experience

How to Apply

Key Dates and Timeline

Application Deadline

Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated Impact: Committees look for applicants whose initiatives have already produced measurable results in education, employment, or entrepreneurship for youth in vulnerable contexts.
• Clarity of Mission: Your organisation must have a clear not-for-profit mission and a focused approach to addressing structural barriers for young people.
• Grassroots Authenticity: Priority is given to initiatives that are not funded by major corporate or institutional sources. The fund is specifically designed to uplift emerging, community-rooted solutions.
• Leadership Quality: Applicants must demonstrate that they are not just participants in their organisation but the primary driving force behind it.
• Community Fit: Your initiative should serve young people in low-income, fragile, or underserved communities where barriers to opportunity are greatest.
• Commitment to Learning: Scholars must show genuine willingness to engage in pre- and post-summit activities, peer collaboration, and personal development, not just attend the summit event itself.
• Alignment with ZZF Pillars: Your work must connect clearly to the Enabling Social Equity pillar and specifically to the learning-to-earning transition for youth.

Important Tips

1. Show impact, not just intention: The Z Zurich Foundation is looking for leaders who are already producing results. Use numbers, names, and stories to demonstrate the real change your initiative has created.
2. Be specific about the barriers you are addressing: Saying you support youth is not enough. Explain which specific systemic barriers, such as lack of vocational skills, digital access, or employment pathways, your work directly tackles.
3. Emphasise the early-stage nature of your work honestly: This scholarship is designed for emerging leaders who are not yet supported by major funders. If your organisation has grown significantly, make sure you are still within the intended scope.
4. Confirm your organisation's registration before applying: You must have a formally registered entity with a bank account in the organisation's name. If you are not yet registered, do not apply until this requirement is met.
5. Highlight your primary leadership role clearly: The scholarship is for the person leading the initiative. Make it unmistakably clear in your application that you are the founder, executive director, or primary decision-maker.
6. Prepare for the pre- and post-summit commitment: Applying means committing to a full programme that runs from September through late November 2026. If you have other major commitments during that period, plan around them now.
7. Connect your work to the One Young World community: Research what One Young World is, who attends the summit, and how your work fits into the broader global conversation about youth and social equity. This understanding should come through in your application.
8. Apply early: The deadline is 4 May 2026, but submitting two to three weeks before the deadline gives you time to correct any mistakes or provide additional information if asked.

Frequently Asked Questions

Official Link