The Sir Cyril Taylor Young African Leaders Program 2027 is a 12-month fully funded programme run by AFS Youth Assembly for 10 young leaders aged 18-35 from Sub-Saharan Africa. Travel and accommodation for the Youth Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland (August 2027) are covered, and each leader receives seed funding for an impact project. The application deadline is 19 November 2026, 23:59 UTC. At Youth Works Hub, we read the official announcement and set out below what the programme includes and who can apply.
About the Sir Cyril Taylor Young African Leaders Program
🏛️ Organiser: AFS Youth Assembly, with grant support from the Sir Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation
🎯 Mission: to empower outstanding young changemakers from Sub-Saharan Africa with the skills, resources and funding needed to drive sustainable development in their communities
👥 Cohort size: 10 young African leaders are selected
🏅 Title: the selected participants are formally recognised as the Sir Cyril Taylor Young African Leaders and join a growing community of leaders
📈 Why it exists: Africa has a population that is 70% under 30, and the United Nations stresses the importance of investing in young African leaders to accelerate change
The Third Edition: Who Took Part Before
The programme started in 2025. The first edition celebrated 10 leaders from Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, Mali, South Africa and Ghana. The second edition selected 10 leaders from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, South Africa and Namibia, and it received almost 6,000 applications. The third edition invites a new cohort to carry this work forward.
Eligibility Requirements
🎂 Age: 18-35 years old
🧭 Leadership: demonstrable leadership qualities or a proven track record of leadership experience
🌱 Potential: potential for personal and professional growth
🌍 Origin: you must be from a Sub-Saharan African country
🛂 Passport: you must have an unexpired passport
🤝 Social impact: leading a social impact project related to the Sustainable Development Goals is preferred
✈️ Attendance: you must be able to attend the Youth Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland in person in August 2027
🗣️ English: intermediate level of English
🔎 Interests: demonstrable interest in global affairs, sustainable development and youth issues
What the Fellowship Covers
This is a 12-month fully funded scholarship that covers the costs of taking part in every programme element below. Travel and accommodation for the AFS Youth Assembly are covered for the participants.
🎓 AFS Global Competence Certificate (GCC): enrolment in the programme, which builds the intercultural competencies needed for community impact and takes place virtually before the Youth Assembly
🛠️ Preparation workshops: pre-Youth Assembly workshops that support your experience before you attend the conference
🇨🇭 AFS Youth Assembly in Switzerland, August 2027: a global platform that builds an international network of young leaders through exchange, education, action and impact; each year it attracts 700-900 participants from over 100 countries, including 40% from Sub-Saharan Africa
🏆 Recognition: leaders receive special recognition at the Closing Ceremony of the Youth Assembly
📚 "Effect+ in the Community" workshop: an intensive workshop in Switzerland in August 2027 to build changemaking skills and a scalable training framework, with access to resources, tools and experiences designed to turn visions into actionable change
Your Commitments After the Youth Assembly
🏘️ Local community impact: back home, the leaders replicate the "Effect+ in the Community" workshop for at least 100 young people in their local communities, so that the impact scales and creates a ripple effect for sustainable development
💡 Impact projects: leaders start their own impact projects using the seed funding provided
⏳ Project period: they work on their projects for 6 months with mentorship and support from the AFS Youth Assembly Impact Network
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Timeline at a Glance
⏰ Application deadline: 19 November 2026, 23:59 UTC
🏔️ Youth Assembly and workshop: Geneva, Switzerland, August 2027
🗓️ Programme length: 12 months
Apply Early and Prepare Your Visa
The organisers encourage early applications because visa processing times can take several months. Applications are reviewed on a first come first served basis. The use of AI to write the narrative parts of the application is highly discouraged, so write your answers in your own words. If you want to understand how fellowships differ from other opportunities, read what a fellowship is and how it differs from a scholarship before you apply.
Find more opportunities like this in the Fellowships section on Youth Works Hub →.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the Sir Cyril Taylor Young African Leaders Program 2027?
Young people aged 18-35 from a Sub-Saharan African country who show leadership qualities, hold an unexpired passport and can attend the Youth Assembly in Geneva in person in August 2027. Intermediate English is required.
Is the programme fully funded?
Yes. It is described as a 12-month fully funded scholarship. Travel and accommodation for the AFS Youth Assembly are covered, and leaders receive seed funding for their impact projects.
How many leaders are selected?
Ten young African leaders are selected for the third edition. The second edition received almost 6,000 applications.
Do I need to be running a social impact project already?
The announcement says that leading a social impact project related to the SDGs is preferred. Demonstrable leadership qualities or a proven leadership track record are also required.
What happens after the Youth Assembly?
Leaders run the "Effect+ in the Community" workshop for at least 100 young people at home and carry out their own impact project for 6 months with mentorship from the AFS Youth Assembly Impact Network.
When should I apply?
The deadline is 19 November 2026 at 23:59 UTC. Applications are reviewed on a first come first served basis, and visa processing can take several months, so apply early.
Deadline
⏳ 19 November 2026
Links
🔗 Apply Now (Google Form): https://forms.gle/VEYy2UHv22nHGDbBA
📄 Official announcement: https://www.youthassembly.org/2026/10/16/young-african-leaders-scholarships/
❓ Official FAQ and 7 Lessons from 6,000 Applications: https://www.youthassembly.org/2026/11/05/sir-cyril-taylor-young-african-leaders-program-7-lessons-from-6000-applications/
