Sir Cyril Taylor Young African Leaders Program 2027: Fully Funded Leadership Programme with Geneva Youth Assembly
About the opportunity:
The Sir Cyril Taylor Young African Leaders Program is run by the AFS Youth Assembly with support from the Sir Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation. It is built for emerging leaders in Sub-Saharan Africa who want to drive sustainable development in their own communities.
Over 12 months, participants are enrolled in the AFS Global Competence Certificate Program and join workshops that lead up to the Youth Assembly. They then travel to Geneva, Switzerland, in August 2027 to attend the Assembly, and take part in an intensive workshop called “Effect+ in the Community.” The programme ends with seed funding and mentorship to help each participant carry out an impact project. The focus areas are leadership development, community impact, intercultural skills and networking with global leaders.
The whole package is fully funded, including travel and accommodation. It suits young changemakers who are already leading, or ready to lead, projects linked to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Who can apply:
- Young people aged 18 to 35Citizens of a Sub-Saharan African country
- People with a valid, unexpired passport
- Applicants with leadership experience or clear leadership qualities, and potential for personal and professional growth
- Applicants with at least an intermediate level of English
- Applicants with an interest in global affairs, sustainable development and youth issues
- People who can attend the Youth Assembly in Geneva
- Applicants who lead a social impact project linked to the Sustainable Development Goals are preferred
What you get:
- Fully funded participation, including travel and accommodation
- Enrolment in the AFS Global Competence Certificate Program
- Workshops before the Youth Assembly
- Attendance at the AFS Youth Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, in August 2027
- The “Effect+ in the Community” intensive workshop
- Seed funding and mentorship for your impact project
How to apply:
- Gather the documents the application asks for and be ready to show your leadership experience.
- Make sure your passport is valid.
- Submit your application through the official AFS Youth Assembly portal before the deadline.
- Apply early, since visa processing can cause delays.
Official link: Use the Apply button on this page to go straight to the official application. Always confirm the latest details and requirements on the AFS Youth Assembly’s official page before applying.
Reminder: Use the “Never miss this deadline” box at the top of this page to add the deadline to your Google Calendar or Apple / Outlook calendar, so you don’t miss it.
Tip: Check your passport expiry date and the Swiss visa requirements for your country now, so a visa delay doesn’t put your place at risk.
