Apply to the fully funded The Commonwealth Young Leaders Fellowship (CYLF)

The Commonwealth is home to over 1.5 billion young people under the age of 30, representing more than 60% of its total population. This youth majority is one of the most defining features, offering vast potential for innovation, leadership, and transformation. Across the 56 member countries, young people are already making critical contributions to education, technology, governance, climate action, and civic life. Yet despite this energy, many lack access to the spaces, resources, and support systems needed to lead fully.
The Commonwealth Charter provides a unifying framework for the Commonwealth, rooted in shared commitments to democracy, human rights, peace and security, gender equality, the rule of law, and sustainable development. Notably, the Charter explicitly recognises the positive and active role of young people in promoting these values and calls for their inclusion in shaping the future of the Commonwealth. It also affirms that the sustained prosperity and relevance of the Commonwealth rely on the empowerment of its citizens, especially its young people.
For the Commonwealth to continue as a values-driven, globally respected development organisation, it must invest in grooming principled, competent, and visionary youth leaders. These young leaders must not only understand the Commonwealth Charter but also be equipped to live it out in their personal and public lives. In the face of complex global challenges ranging from political instability and social inequality to climate emergencies and digital disruption, there is an urgent need to prepare the next generation to carry the mantle of Commonwealth leadership.
Establishing a structured pathway for nurturing these leaders is essential. It offers a way to translate the Charter from a set of ideals into tangible, lived realities in communities across the Commonwealth. It ensures that youth are not only included in the Commonwealth’s story, but positioned at its centre.
ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP
The Commonwealth Young Leaders Fellowship (CYLF) will be a six-month youth leadership development programme that aims to support, equip, and elevate a new generation of Commonwealth changemakers. It will be delivered under the auspices of the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, reinforcing the Secretariat’s commitment to empowering youth to take ownership of the Commonwealth’s future.
Exceptional young leaders will be selected for the inaugural edition of the fellowship. Through a combination of training, mentorship, and practical project implementation, the fellows will deepen their understanding of the Commonwealth Charter while applying its values in real-world contexts.
The programme includes a structured leadership curriculum, co-designed with partner organisations, that covers key themes such as ethical leadership, public service, climate justice, gender equity, digital inclusion, and peacebuilding. Fellows will also receive stipends to support their learning journeys and community-based projects. These projects, which must align with the values of the Commonwealth Charter and other areas identified by partners, will be implemented in the fellows’ respective countries, allowing them to address pressing local challenges.
A defining feature of the fellowship is the Immersion Period, during which fellows travel to the Commonwealth Secretariat in London or a designated partner organisation or country for hands-on exposure to policymaking, diplomacy, and global governance. This visit aims to complement the fellows’ learning by providing an understanding of standard institutional systems and their relevance to leadership.
Upon completion of the programme, fellows will present their work in a final showcase and become part of a growing Commonwealth Young Leaders Network, promoting continued collaboration, accountability, and impact beyond the duration of the fellowship.
OBJECTIVES
The CYLF aims to deliver the following objectives;
Equip emerging youth leaders with the knowledge, tools, and values-based training required to lead in alignment with the Commonwealth Charter.
Provide structured support for youth-led community projects that reflect the principles of democracy, inclusion, sustainability, and equity.
Facilitate direct engagement between youth and institutions to foster civic understanding and institutional trust.
Build a diverse and inclusive network of Commonwealth youth leaders committed to long-term national and regional development.
Advance the lived experience of the Commonwealth Charter by turning its principles into action in local contexts.
NATURE OF FELLOWSHIP
The Commonwealth Young Leaders Fellowship will be a six-month intensive programme that includes both virtual and in-person components. Fellows will be supported in designing and implementing a community-based project that reflects their training and leadership values.
Programme Features Include:
Thematic Leadership Training: Fellows will participate in periodic training sessions on topics such as democratic governance, public communication, sustainable development, innovation, and human rights.
Immersion Week: Fellows will spend one week at the Commonwealth Secretariat or a designated partner institution. This will include:
Policy roundtables
Institutional briefings
Peer learning exchanges
Visits to key diplomatic and youth engagement spaces
Project Implementation: Fellows will carry out projects in their home countries, applying their training to real-world problems and demonstrating values-based leadership in practice.
Stipends and Grants: Fellows will receive a modest stipend to support their learning and project expenses.
Certification and Showcase: At the end of the fellowship, fellows will present their outcomes and receive official certification recognising their successful participation.