The Resilience Fellowship 2026 has opened applications for young East African changemakers working at the intersection of climate justice, emotional wellbeing, and community leadership. The 9-month programme will select 12 pairs of fellows from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania to participate in a structured fellowship combining mental health training, facilitation skills, and community-based resilience work.
Unlike traditional academic scholarships, this fellowship focuses on strengthening psychological resilience, leadership capacity, and peer-to-peer community support systems, especially for young people dealing with climate anxiety and social pressure in frontline communities.
Programme Overview
The fellowship is built around the idea that climate action and community leadership must also address emotional wellbeing. Selected fellows are trained not only to lead initiatives but also to support others dealing with stress, burnout, and uncertainty linked to climate and social challenges.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 9 months |
| Structure | Paired applicants (2-person teams) |
| Countries | Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania |
| Age Range | 18–28 years |
| Focus Areas | Climate justice, mental health, youth leadership, community resilience |
| Key Model | Community-based “Resilience Circles” |
What Selected Fellows Receive
The fellowship includes both financial support and capacity-building training designed to prepare young leaders for long-term community impact.
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Stipend | KES 40,000 per fellow |
| Travel Support | Covered travel for fellowship activities |
| Mental Health Training | Mental Health First Aid certification |
| Residential Training | 5-day in-person intensive programme |
| Mentorship | 8 months of structured guidance |
| Leadership Training | Facilitation and community engagement skills |
| Peer Network | Long-term East African fellow network |
Participants also gain experience in project coordination, group facilitation, and community mental health awareness.
Fellowship Structure and Activities
The programme is designed as a long-term engagement rather than a short training course. It combines residential learning, online training, and sustained community work.
| Phase | Activity |
|---|---|
| Pre-training | Online Mental Health First Aid certification |
| Residential | 5-day intensive training (31 July – 4 August 2026) |
| Implementation | Community “Resilience Circles” facilitation |
| Mentorship | Weekly and monthly check-ins |
| Reporting | Regular progress and impact tracking |
Fellows are expected to co-lead community sessions for young people aged 16–20 participants per circle.
Eligibility Criteria
The programme has strict eligibility requirements due to its community-based design and paired application structure.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | 18–28 years |
| Countries | Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania |
| Application format | Must apply in pairs (pre-formed teams) |
| Language | English proficiency required |
| Availability | July 2026 – March 2027 commitment |
Applicants must demonstrate strong community engagement experience, trust-based partnership with their co-applicant, and willingness to commit time over several months.
Time Commitment
This fellowship requires consistent engagement over the entire programme period.
- 2-day online Mental Health First Aid training
- 5-day residential programme
- Weekly facilitation sessions (5–6 hours/week for 8 weeks)
- Monthly mentorship calls
- Community reporting and reflection activities
- Ongoing peer support engagement
This is a structured leadership programme rather than a short-term certificate course.
Why This Fellowship Matters
The Resilience Fellowship stands out because it reframes leadership development around emotional resilience and community wellbeing, not just project execution.
It is especially relevant for young people already involved in:
- Climate activism
- Youth mental health advocacy
- Community organising
- Social development initiatives
- Peer education or outreach programmes
The model recognizes that sustaining social impact work requires emotional support systems and practical tools for managing burnout and stress.
Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the Resilience Fellowship 2026 is:
31 May 2026 (11:59 PM EAT)
Application Link
Resilience Fellowship Application Information
