Fully funded leadership programmes can provide young changemakers with access to international networks, leadership development and global platforms without requiring them to personally finance major participation costs. One Young World offers a range of scholarship programmes designed to help young leaders attend its annual Summit on a fully funded basis.
According to One Young World, its scholarships can cover travel, accommodation and meals, allowing selected young leaders to participate in the Summit regardless of their financial circumstances. The organization works with governments, businesses, universities, civil society organisations and philanthropic partners to fund these opportunities.
Opportunity Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | One Young World |
| Opportunity type | Fully funded leadership scholarships |
| Main benefit | Attendance at One Young World Summit |
| Travel | Covered |
| Accommodation | Covered |
| Meals | Covered |
| Target group | Young leaders and changemakers |
| Focus | Leadership, social impact and global challenges |
| Current opportunities | Multiple scholarship programmes |
| Application platform | One Young World |
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Official One Young World Scholarships page
What Is a One Young World Scholarship?
One Young World scholarships provide selected young leaders with the opportunity to attend the organization’s annual Summit and become part of its global Community.
The Summit brings together young talent from countries and sectors around the world. Scholarship programmes are designed to ensure that financial circumstances do not prevent promising young leaders from participating.
One Young World describes its scholarship support as covering participation from beginning to end, including travel, catering and accommodation.
The experience therefore goes beyond simply attending an international conference. Successful scholars join a global network of young people working on social, economic, environmental and community challenges.
Current Scholarship Opportunities
The One Young World scholarship page currently lists several opportunities, including:
Brand South Africa | Play Your Part Bursary
Application deadline: 2 September 2026
This opportunity is designed for eligible young South African leaders and provides a route to participate in the One Young World Summit.
Applicants should carefully review the specific eligibility conditions on the official scholarship page before applying.
Brand South Africa | Play Your Part Bursary
National Bursary for Job-Generating Entrepreneurs
Application deadline: 12 September 2026
This scholarship is particularly relevant to young entrepreneurs whose work contributes to employment creation and economic opportunity.
National Bursary for Job-Generating Entrepreneurs
Leading Scholarship 2026
Application deadline: 31 October 2026
The Leading Scholarship is another opportunity listed by One Young World for young leaders seeking to participate in its global Summit and Community.
Because individual scholarships have different sponsors and eligibility requirements, applicants should not assume that meeting the criteria for one scholarship automatically makes them eligible for another.
What Does the Funding Cover?
One Young World states that its fully funded scholarships cover the main costs associated with attending the Summit.
These include:
- International or relevant travel
- Accommodation
- Meals and catering
- Summit participation
- Access to the wider One Young World Community
The organization describes its scholarships as fully funded from the beginning to the end of the Summit experience, including travel, catering and accommodation.
However, individual scholarship terms can differ. Applicants should always check the specific scholarship they are applying for rather than assuming every possible personal expense is covered.
Who Should Consider Applying?
One Young World scholarships are aimed at young people who have demonstrated leadership and are actively creating positive change.
Potential applicants may include:
- Social entrepreneurs.
- Community leaders.
- Young professionals.
- Environmental advocates.
- Education innovators.
- Human rights and inclusion advocates.
- Entrepreneurs creating employment.
- Young people developing solutions to local or global challenges.
- Professionals leading initiatives within their organisations or communities.
One Young World says its scholars include grassroots changemakers, industry professionals and people working in political and other leadership spaces.
The important distinction is that applicants should be able to demonstrate action, not simply an interest in leadership.
What Makes a Strong Applicant?
A compelling application should demonstrate evidence of impact.
For example, rather than simply saying that you are passionate about youth empowerment, explain what initiative you have undertaken, who benefited and what changed as a result.
Demonstrate leadership
Explain situations where you took responsibility and helped others move toward a goal.
Show measurable impact
Where possible, provide evidence such as:
- People reached.
- Jobs created.
- Businesses supported.
- Students trained.
- Communities served.
- Policies influenced.
- Environmental outcomes achieved.
Explain your motivation
Make it clear why attending the One Young World Summit would help you advance your existing work.
Connect your work to wider challenges
Strong applications can demonstrate how a local initiative contributes to broader issues such as sustainable development, climate action, entrepreneurship, education, equality or economic opportunity.
Why Attend the One Young World Summit?
The main attraction is the opportunity to connect with other young leaders from around the world.
Selected scholars become part of the One Young World Community, creating opportunities for networking, collaboration and exposure to different approaches to social and economic challenges.
For someone already working on a meaningful project or initiative, the international network can potentially provide new perspectives and connections that are difficult to obtain through conventional professional development.
How Competitive Are the Scholarships?
One Young World’s published figures illustrate the scale of demand. The organization reports 74,847 scholarship applications in 2024, alongside 554 scholarship winners that year. It also reports more than 1,500 scholarship places over the preceding three years.
These figures indicate that applicants should expect substantial competition.
Consequently, simply meeting the basic eligibility requirements may not be enough. Applicants should focus on demonstrating a distinctive record of leadership and impact.
How to Prepare Your Application
1. Identify your strongest impact story
Choose one or two initiatives that best demonstrate your leadership rather than attempting to describe everything you have ever done.
2. Explain the problem
Clearly describe the challenge your work addresses.
3. Explain your intervention
What did you actually do? What role did you personally play?
4. Provide evidence
Use concrete results wherever possible.
5. Explain your future plans
Show how the opportunity would help you expand or strengthen your existing work.
6. Research the specific scholarship
One Young World offers scholarships backed by different partners. Requirements therefore vary.
One Young World’s scholarship application tips
Application Process
Applicants should begin by reviewing the current scholarships available through the official One Young World website.
The general process is:
- Review available scholarships.
- Select opportunities for which you meet the eligibility requirements.
- Read the specific scholarship description carefully.
- Prepare information about your leadership and impact.
- Complete the relevant application.
- Submit before the stated deadline.
- Monitor communications regarding the selection process.
Applicants should remember that each scholarship can have its own requirements and deadline.
Important Deadlines
Based on the opportunities listed in the supplied source:
| Scholarship | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Brand South Africa – Play Your Part Bursary | 2 September 2026 |
| National Bursary for Job-Generating Entrepreneurs | 12 September 2026 |
| Leading Scholarship 2026 | 31 October 2026 |
Deadlines can change, so applicants should verify the current information on the relevant official scholarship page before submitting an application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are One Young World scholarships fully funded?
One Young World states that its scholarships can cover travel, accommodation and meals, enabling selected scholars to attend the Summit fully funded.
Is travel covered?
Yes. Travel is included among the costs covered by One Young World’s fully funded scholarship programmes.
Is accommodation covered?
Yes. Accommodation is included.
Are meals covered?
Yes. One Young World states that catering and meals are covered.
Who can apply?
Eligibility depends on the individual scholarship. Applicants should check the requirements of each specific programme.
Can entrepreneurs apply?
Yes. One Young World has scholarship opportunities specifically targeting entrepreneurs, including the National Bursary for Job-Generating Entrepreneurs.
Do I need leadership experience?
The scholarships are designed for young leaders and changemakers. Applicants should therefore be prepared to demonstrate evidence of leadership and impact.
Can I apply for multiple scholarships?
The supplied information does not establish a universal rule that applies to every current scholarship. Applicants should check the FAQ and specific terms of the scholarships they are considering.
Opportunities Feed Verdict
Opportunities Feed Verdict: One Young World scholarships are an excellent option for young people who already have a demonstrable record of creating change and want to take that work onto an international platform. The biggest advantage is the fully funded Summit experience, with travel, accommodation and meals covered. However, the competition is significant, so applicants should focus on evidence of real-world impact rather than simply describing themselves as aspiring leaders.
For applicants in Africa, the current scholarship list includes opportunities specifically connected to South Africa and entrepreneurship, while additional One Young World scholarships may become available through the organization’s broader programme.
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Explore all current One Young World scholarships
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