Resilience Fellowship 2027, East Africa
The Resilience Fellowship 2027 is a youth-focused leadership and community development programme designed for young changemakers working at the intersection of climate justice, mental health, and community resilience. The fellowship brings together selected participants from East Africa for hands-on training, mentorship, and field-based community work aimed at strengthening emotional wellbeing and leadership capacity.
The programme is open to applicants from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania and is delivered in pairs, making collaboration and peer leadership a core part of the experience.
Fellowship Summary
- Programme Name: Resilience Fellowship 2027
- Eligible Countries: Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania
- Age Limit: 18–28 years
- Duration: 9 months
- Format: Paired applications (two applicants per team)
- Stipend: KES 40,000 (one-time support)
- Additional Support: Travel coverage + training + mentorship
- Focus Areas: Climate justice, mental health, leadership, community resilience
- Application Deadline: 31 May
About the Fellowship
The Resilience Fellowship 2026 is designed to support young people who are already engaged in climate action, community leadership, youth advocacy, or social impact initiatives. Unlike traditional academic scholarships, this programme focuses on emotional resilience, leadership development, and practical community engagement.
A key feature of the fellowship is its emphasis on mental health awareness, burnout prevention, and climate anxiety—areas often overlooked in youth leadership programmes.
Selected fellows will not only receive training but will also actively implement community-based “Resilience Circles” in their local areas.
Programme Structure
The fellowship is delivered in several phases:
- 5-day residential training (31 July – 4 August)
- Mental Health First Aid certification
- Leadership and facilitation training
- 8 months of mentorship and guided community work
- Weekly reporting and learning sessions
- Local implementation of Resilience Circles
Participants are expected to remain engaged throughout the full duration of the programme.
Degree Level
- Fellowship
Available Subjects
- Climate justice
- Mental health,
- Leadership
- Community resilience
Benefits
Selected fellows receive:
Financial and Travel Support
- KES 40,000 stipend
- Covered travel for training and programme activities
Training and Certification
- Mental Health First Aid certification
- Facilitation and leadership training
- Project management exposure
Mentorship and Networking
- 8 months of structured mentorship
- Peer learning and support network
- Continuous coaching sessions
Eligible Nationalities
Open to applicants from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, or Tanzania.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be aged between 18 and 28 years
- Be from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, or Tanzania
- Apply in pre-formed pairs (two applicants together)
- Be proficient in English
- Be available from July 2027 to March 2028
- Have experience or interest in climate justice, community work, or youth leadership
- Demonstrate commitment to community-based engagement
Key Requirement: Paired Applications
A defining feature of this fellowship is that individuals cannot apply alone. Applicants must submit their application in pairs, as fellows are expected to co-lead community resilience activities together.
This structure is designed to strengthen collaboration, trust, and shared responsibility in community engagement.
Responsibilities of Selected Fellows
Fellows are expected to:
- Attend all training and residential sessions
- Complete Mental Health First Aid training
- Facilitate local Resilience Circles for youth groups (16–20 participants)
- Commit approximately 5–6 hours per week for community work
- Participate in regular mentorship and reporting sessions
- Contribute to climate and mental health awareness in their communities
Application Procedure
To apply for the fellowship:
- Download the official application booklet
- Prepare responses and supporting information in advance
- Complete the online application form
- Submit as a pair before the deadline
- Await selection results based on merit and community engagement experience
Why This Fellowship Matters
The Resilience Fellowship stands out because it connects climate action with mental health support—an area increasingly recognized as essential for sustainable youth leadership.
Rather than focusing only on technical skills or academic learning, the programme builds emotional resilience, leadership confidence, and long-term community impact capacity.
It is especially relevant for young people already active in social or environmental initiatives who want structured support to expand their work sustainably.