Brief Description
The 2026 One Young World & Virgin Unite NewNow Program has just been officially announced, and applications are now open—this is a time-sensitive, high-impact opportunity for young changemakers across the Global South. Delivered by One Young World, in partnership with Virgin Unite, this prestigious program empowers extraordinary emerging leaders who are boldly reshaping their communities through systems thinking, innovation, and collective action.
The NewNow Program seeks ten exceptional young leaders who are not only creating change, but innovating how change is created. These individuals must have a proven understanding of systems-level problems and a demonstrated ability to intervene in ways that produce long-term, sustainable transformation.
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Through this fellowship, selected leaders receive a full scholarship to attend the 2026 One Young World Summit in Cape Town, South Africa—one of the world’s most influential gatherings for young activists, innovators, and leadership pioneers. The Summit is a global stage where delegates connect with Nobel Peace Prize laureates, presidents, CEOs, humanitarian icons, and world-renowned experts working at the intersection of development, justice, sustainability, and social innovation.
Beyond attending the Summit, NewNow leaders join a powerful community backed by One Young World and Virgin Unite, gaining access to leadership development platforms, media exposure, global networks, and collaborative opportunities that continue long after the Summit concludes.
If you are an emerging leader between the ages of 18 and 30 with a bold, systems-driven approach to solving complex societal challenges, this program is your last chance to elevate your work globally. Apply before applications close on February 16, 2026.
Benefits
The One Young World/Virgin Unite NewNow Program 2026 offers one of the most comprehensive and empowering scholarship packages available to young leaders in the Global South. Selected participants receive:
1. A Fully Funded Scholarship to the 2026 One Young World Summit in Cape Town
This includes full delegate access to the Summit, a global platform that gathers the brightest young minds alongside some of the most influential leaders of our time. Attendance provides immediate exposure, inspiration, and partnership opportunities that can fast-track your initiatives to global relevance.
2. Lifetime Membership in the One Young World Ambassador Community
This ensures long-term access to opportunities, training, global networks, and career-advancing platforms. Ambassadors frequently receive invitations to speak at major events, collaborate on global initiatives, and lead impact-driven campaigns.
3. Visibility Across One Young World and Virgin Unite Global Channels
Selected leaders will be highlighted across multiple platforms, amplifying their stories and increasing their reach. This exposure often leads to partnerships, funding opportunities, and international recognition.
4. Access to Media and Speaking Opportunities
NewNow participants gain direct channels to feature their work on global stages—whether through conferences, news outlets, moderated discussions, or networks seeking emerging leaders to share their insights.
5. Admission to the One Young World Global Leadership Programme
This professional development program is designed to strengthen essential skills such as strategic leadership, communication, advocacy, project scaling, and systems design.
6. Access to the One Young World Action Accelerator
This mechanism supports leaders in turning their ideas into actionable, impactful solutions. Participants receive guidance from experts and mentors who help refine their strategies.
7. Membership in the NewNow Community
Participants join an exclusive ecosystem built specifically to nurture system thinkers and impact innovators. This community offers workshops, capacity-building sessions, and leadership intensives—all geared toward enhancing your influence and long-term sustainability as a leader.
8. Opportunities for Collaboration
NewNow members work with each other to launch joint initiatives, contribute to shared advocacy campaigns, and design solutions with broader collective impact.
* This program is more than a scholarship—it is an instant gateway to global leadership, making it the perfect opportunity for those who are ready to unlock the next level of their impact journey.
Name of Organizer
One young world
Requirements/ Eligibility criteria
Candidates must meet the following criteria to be considered for the NewNow 2026 cohort:
1. Be aged 18 to 30.
Applicants must fall within this age range at the time of application to ensure early-career representation.
2. Be a national of a country within the Global South.
This focuses the program on communities that face systemic challenges yet have powerful emerging leaders driving meaningful change.
3. Demonstrate successful leadership through real, measurable, and impactful initiatives.
Applicants must show a history of action—not just ideas.
4. Show a strong understanding of key local or global issues, especially those requiring systems-thinking approaches to solve.
5. Hold a proven track record of applying systems-thinking principles to design sustainable, innovative, and long-term solutions.
6. Provide clear evidence of impact in addressing complex developmental, social, environmental, or economic challenges.
7. Demonstrate willingness and readiness to collaborate with other cohort members from the NewNow community.
8. Be prepared to engage with media and promote stories of system change through networks, platforms, and speaking opportunities.
These criteria ensure that the selected ten leaders represent the most visionary, resilient, and solution-oriented changemakers from across the Global South.
Deadline
16th February,2026.
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