The Changemakers for Youth 2026 programme, run by ChangemakerXchange with the support of the Drosos Foundation, connects, supports, and amplifies the work of young social entrepreneurs in Egypt, Germany, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Switzerland, and Tunisia*. The initiative is designed to accelerate the impact of youth-led ventures addressing pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges in their communities, while fostering leadership, collaboration, and systemic change.
This programme is ideal for young changemakers who are actively leading initiatives with measurable impact, mobilizing peers, and empowering youth. Over three years, 80 participants will be selected, with the first cohort of 20 changemakers onboarded in 2026.
Who Should Apply
Eligibility Criteria:
- Location: You must currently live and have impact in Egypt, Germany*, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Switzerland, or Tunisia.
(*In Germany, the initiative must create tangible impact in Eastern Germany.) - Age: 18–35 years old
- Role: Founder/co-founder, leader/co-leader, manager/co-manager, or an influential decision-making role in an active initiative.
- Venture: A youth-led or youth-focused initiative with measurable social or environmental impact, or strong potential for impact.
- Language: A good understanding of English, as programme activities are conducted primarily in English.
This programme is open to changemakers at all stages—from early-stage pilots with high potential to established initiatives with proven outcomes.
Programme Benefits
Participants will gain access to a range of resources, mentorship, and opportunities, including:
- Customised Capacity Building
Tailored training and support to strengthen leadership, strategic planning, innovation, impact measurement, and collaboration. - Immersive Summit & Peer Learning
A 5-day in-person summit in Morocco, offering networking, skill-building workshops, wellbeing sessions, and co-creation opportunities. - Seed Funding for Cross-Border Collaboration
Financial support for joint initiatives across the MENA region and Europe to maximize impact. - Global Community Access
Lifetime membership in the ChangemakerXchange network, connecting you with over 1,500 changemakers in 130+ countries. - Visibility & Mentorship
Connections to global partners, experts, funders, and ongoing support for project scaling. - Post-Summit Opportunities
Further engagement with collaborative funding, workshops, facilitation roles, and potential leadership positions within the network.
Selection Criteria
Applications are evaluated based on:
- Clarity of Need & Opportunity – A clear understanding of the problem or opportunity your initiative addresses.
- Impact – Evidence of measurable effects on communities, youth, or the environment.
- Potential to Scale – Ability for the initiative to grow, replicate, or influence systemic change.
- Innovation – Creative and contextually appropriate approaches.
- Youth Empowerment – Strengthening skills, agency, and participation of young people.
- Alignment with Values – Entrepreneurial mindset, collaboration, inclusivity, and motivation to scale impact.
- Diversity & Intersectionality – Representation across gender, backgrounds, regions, and types of initiatives.
Timeline
Application Phase: 2 February – 29 March 2026
Deadline for Applications: 29 March 2026 (11:59 PM GMT)
Application Review: 29 March – 17 April 2026
Online Interviews: 17 April – 8 May 2026
Final Selection Notification: 15 May 2026
Selected Participants’ Programme Milestones:
- Kick-Off Call: June 2026
- Public Announcement of Fellows: June 2026
- Needs Assessment & Customised Support: June–December 2026
- In-Person Summit: September 2026
- Collaborative Projects / Funding Phase: September 2026 – February 2027 (optional)
- Check-In Call: December 2026
- Closing Ceremony: February 2027
- Ongoing Community Engagement: Beyond programme completion
All dates are tentative and will be confirmed with selected participants.
Costs & Support
Covered by ChangemakerXchange:
- Accommodation, catering, local transport, facilitation, materials, and programme management
- Carbon offsetting for summit activities
- Post-summit capacity building and community engagement activities
Participant Responsibilities:
- Travel to the summit city, local transport from airport/train/bus
- Visa fees and travel insurance
- Any additional expenses if arriving early or departing late
Financial Assistance: If travel costs are a barrier, applicants can request partial or full stipends during the application process.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
The programme prioritizes inclusive participation:
- Gender, socio-economic, regional, and intersectional diversity
- Accessible design for participants with disabilities
- Safe, respectful, and non-discriminatory environment
- Opportunities for feedback to improve inclusivity
Participant Experience & Community
The programme emphasizes peer-to-peer learning, mentorship, and long-term engagement. Participants can:
- Join private online community groups
- Access global learning exchange opportunities
- Participate in facilitation or hosting roles for future events
- Collaborate with peers and mentors across borders
- Continue networking through lifelong membership in the ChangemakerXchange community
Alumni Feedback Highlights:
“CXC gave me a feeling of belonging and inspired me to scale my social venture.”
“I learned how to lead systemic change and mobilize young people in my community.”
“The programme connected me with a global network of changemakers and lifelong collaborators.”
How to Apply
- Application Period: 2 February – 29 March 2026
- Deadline: 29 March 2026, 11:59 PM GMT
Applicants must complete the full application form. Only submitted applications before the deadline will be considered.
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