Deadline: July 19, 2026
Applications are open for the Commonwealth Young Leaders Fellowship 2026. The Commonwealth Young Leaders Fellowship (CYLF) is a flagship leadership development programme designed to equip young leaders across the Commonwealth with practical leadership competencies that are valuable in the workplace, public service, entrepreneurship, and community leadership.
Through leadership training, tailored mentorship, cross-border collaboration, professional placements and community action projects, CYLF equips emerging leaders to solve pressing challenges facing Commonwealth nations while advancing the values of the Commonwealth Charter.
Selected fellows must plan for two separate international travels during the Fellowship cycle: one week in the United Kingdom (late August), hosted at partner institutions in London, and one week in Antigua and Barbuda, to participate in activities at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Themes
- Democratic Governance and Civic Participation
- Digital Inclusion
- Peacebuilding
- Sustainable Development and Climate Justice
- Public Service
Available Support
- The Fellowship secretariat will provide invitation and support letters for visa applications for both in-person convenings.
- Where funding partnerships are confirmed, partial travel bursaries or accommodation support may be made available to Fellows on a needs basis. Details will be communicated directly to shortlisted applicants.
- Fellows are encouraged to explore co-funding from their home institutions, employers, or national youth agencies to offset personal costs.
Eligibility
- Open to young people (typically 18 – 35) from Commonwealth member states who demonstrate a track record of, or strong commitment to, community leadership, public service, or social impact work.
- Applicants should be prepared to commit to the full 3-month period of the Fellowship, including the two in-person convenings.
Application
For more information, visit Commonwealth Young Leaders Fellowship.
