Call for Submissions: Young Changemakers Initiative 2026 – YOA

Deadline: July 26, 2026

Applications are open for the Young Changemakers Initiative 2026. The African Futures & Innovation programme (AFI) on the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) invites younger Africans to take part within the Young Changemakers 2026 initiative as part of the African Futures Conference 2026.

This initiative identifies and showcases rising African leaders, thinkers, innovators and storytellers shaping conversations concerning the continent’s future. The convention takes place on 13–14 October 2026 in hybrid format: Day 1 in-individual at CSIR, Pretoria with a livestream, and Day 2 absolutely digital.

Theme: The selections that can form Africa’s future

Africa’s future just isn’t predetermined. The selections we make in the present day – about governance, schooling, know-how, local weather motion, financial transformation, peace and safety, and social improvement – will form the continent’s trajectory. They invite younger Africans to think about the long run they wish to see and discover the alternatives required to make it attainable.

Benefits

• A panel of consultants will choose the Top 20 Young Changemakers 2026, whose concepts reveal creativity, foresight, management potential and dedication to shaping Africa’s future. From this group, 5 finalists will obtain the Young Changemakers Award, together with journey assist to attend the African Futures Conference 2026 in Pretoria.
• The Top 5 will current their concepts, have interaction instantly with policymakers, researchers, practitioners and convention individuals, and contribute to conversations on Africa’s future.

Eligibility

• Open to younger Africans aged 18–35 from throughout the continent, together with younger professionals, researchers, entrepreneurs, innovators, activists, creatives and storytellers, group leaders, and college students.
• No earlier expertise in foresight is required.

Submission Format

Submit your contribution in one of many following codecs:

• Written submission: most 1500 phrases (PDF or Word)
• Video submission: 3–5 minutes (MP4)
• Audio/podcast submission: 3–5 minutes (MP3 or equal)

Selection Criteria

Submissions shall be evaluated on:

• Originality and creativity
• Relevance to Africa’s future
• Evidence of lengthy-time period and futures-oriented pondering
• Leadership potential and dedication to optimistic change
• Potential affect and inspiration
• Quality of storytelling and presentation
• Potential contribution to conversations on Africa’s future

Application

Submit through the net application form by 26 July 2026 with:

• A title for your submission
• A brief summary (most 250 phrases)
• A brief biography and supporting data

For extra data, go to African Futures Conference.