The American Express Leadership Academy EMEA 2027 is a fully funded leadership programme for senior non-profit leaders living in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. It combines 4 days in person in London (6-9 July 2027) with 5 online workshops over 6 months, a 360° evaluation before the Academy and two one-on-one coaching sessions afterwards. The official page states: "FREE. Places are fully funded." At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the official programme page to bring you every detail. If you are new to this type of programme, read what a fellowship is and how it differs from a scholarship, and find more in our Fellowships opportunities.
What the American Express Leadership Academy Is
🌐 A global leadership programme for the non-profit sector: for more than a decade, the Academy has strengthened the non-profit sector by investing in the people who lead it. It is delivered by Common Purpose together with American Express.
🧠 Built for complexity: non-profit leaders face rapid technological change, shifting funding landscapes and rising community need. The Academy focuses on working differently within that complexity, across boundaries, perspectives and interconnected systems, and on strengthening trust, relationships and human connection.
🤝 Learning through difference: it brings together senior non-profit leaders from a wide range of organisations and disciplines, and holds that leadership is strengthened through exposure to difference across sectors, geographies and lived experience.
🏛️ Learn from many sectors: participants learn directly from peers and senior leaders across the social, public and private sectors.
🧭 COMPASS approach: tools, mindsets and approaches based on the COMPASS approach to leadership, which you can apply immediately in your role.
Key Information at a Glance
👥 Who it is for: senior leaders in the non-profit sector.
⏱️ Duration: 4 days in person and 5 online workshops across 6 months.
💷 Cost: free, and places are fully funded.
💻 Format: online and in person.
📍 EMEA in-person dates: 6-9 July 2027, London.
📝 EMEA application status: applications are open now.
Who Should Apply
🏢 Responsible for organisations or large teams.
🌪️ Navigating uncertainty and competing pressures.
🌱 Seeking to strengthen leadership beyond your own organisation.
📖 Open to learning through challenge, not just content.
Eligibility Requirements
🎖️ Seniority: senior leaders, currently in or identified for executive roles in future.
🏷️ Organisation: you work for a registered non-profit.
📣 Role: your role requires you to accelerate your ability to influence inside and outside your organisation.
💡 Track record: you have a record of innovation, embrace change and want to transform your team, organisation and community.
🗺️ Region: eligibility is limited to applicants within the specified region. Applicants must reside in the EMEA region, and the programme page does not publish a country list. Make sure you apply for the programme available in the region where you live.
How the Learning Journey Works
🗣️ Pre-Academy connection sessions: online sessions prepare you for the journey, along with a workshop on using storytelling for impact.
🔍 360° evaluation: a 360-degree feedback process built around the Connected Changemaker model gathers insights from you and your colleagues to give a holistic view of your leadership strengths and development areas.
🧱 Day 1, Building Collaboration and Partnerships: explore effective collaboration and how to build partnerships that expand your organisation's reach and impact, with practical tools and purpose-driven conversations.
🚀 Day 2, Embracing an Innovative Mindset: develop a mindset that helps you spot emerging opportunities, respond to change and communicate bold ideas clearly, through immersive experiences and storytelling.
🔗 Day 3, Broadening and Deepening Connections: build trust-based relationships that strengthen ideas and open new opportunities, exchange lived experiences, deepen your network and learn to influence a wide range of stakeholders.
🧩 Day 4, Leading in an Evolving World: bring the learning together through peer coaching, masterclasses and strategic reflection, and develop practical, forward-looking plans for your organisation.
📚 After the Academy: continue learning online with reflective workshops and practices to keep growing in your leadership journey, your sector and your network.
🎯 Coaching: access two one-on-one coaching sessions to refine your personal leadership journey.
What You Will Strengthen
🧘 Purpose: self-awareness, understanding and confidence in your role as a leader.
💭 Innovation: an innovative mindset that spots opportunities to maximise human potential and embrace technological advancements.
📡 Connection: your ability to connect and communicate with others, including through storytelling.
✅ Action: translating insights into practical action.
How the Programme Is Delivered
🛠️ Learn by doing: interactive, experiential sessions where leadership is practised, not just discussed.
🔎 Real-world focus: grounded in live leadership challenges and real examples from practice.
🌍 Learn with others: a diverse cohort that builds insight, challenge and lasting peer connection.
🧰 Practical application: tools you can use straight away in your role.
Programme Impact
📈 160k+ alumni worldwide.
🙌 98% would recommend the Academy to a colleague or friend.
💪 92% feel greater confidence in their role as a leader.
🪞 95% improved their self-awareness.
Dates and Regions
🗓️ EMEA 2027: 6-9 July 2027 in London, applications open.
🗽 The Americas 2027: 9-12 March 2027 in New York City, application deadline 15 November at 11.59pm EST.
🌏 Asia Pacific 2027: dates to be confirmed, applications open.
🔒 Asia Pacific 2026: 10-13 November 2026, applications closed.
⚠️ Each region accepts only applicants who live in that region, so apply for the programme in your own region.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the American Express Leadership Academy EMEA 2027 free?
Yes. The official page states that the programme is free and places are fully funded. It includes 4 in-person days in London, 5 online workshops over 6 months and two one-on-one coaching sessions.
Who can apply to the EMEA programme?
Senior leaders from registered non-profits who are currently in, or identified for, executive roles, and who live in the EMEA region. The programme page does not publish a country list, so check that you reside in the region.
When and where does the EMEA Academy take place?
The in-person part takes place on 6-9 July 2027 in London, United Kingdom. Five online workshops run across the 6 months of the programme, and a 360° evaluation takes place before the Academy.
Is there a deadline for EMEA 2027?
The official page says EMEA 2027 applications are open and does not publish a closing date, so apply as soon as possible. The 15 November deadline on the page belongs to the Americas programme.
Can I nominate someone?
Yes. The programme page has a Nominate option for a non-profit leader or organisation in your network who would be a perfect fit for the Academy.
Deadline
⏳ As soon as possible!
Links
🔗 Official programme page: https://www.commonpurpose.org/american-express-leadership-academy
📨 Apply now: https://www.commonpurpose.org/american-express-leadership-academy/apply
