2024 YOUNG LEADERS FELLOWSHIP

"Local Change Through Global Exchange", a transformative concept that embodies the idea of individuals and communities making a substantial impact on their local environments by engaging with global perspectives and experiences. It's about realizing that the world is interconnected, and by actively participating in international exchanges, embracing diverse cultures, and sharing knowledge, we can ignite positive transformations at the grassroots level. Whether it's students studying abroad, entrepreneurs collaborating with global partners, or communities learning from sustainable practices overseas, this concept represents a powerful engine for change.

By fostering understanding, tolerance, and fresh ideas through global exchange, we empower ourselves to create vibrant, enriched local communities and contribute to a better world. Within this purpose, The MCW Young Leaders Fellowship Program has been established to offer a one-of-a-kind leadership opportunity to all young people between from all over the world who wish to address community projects. The program team, mentors, and mentees all work together to impact communities through innovative ideas and concrete projects.

MCW, or commonly known as Miracle Corners of the World, is a non-profit organization with a vision for communities around the world to achieve greater levels of education, improved health, and increased economic security. MCW address communities’ pressing needs by empowering current leaders and readying leaders of tomorrow. Founded in 1999, MCW Global is based in New York with affiliates in Africa (Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zambia). MCW Global offers Young Leaders and Africa Programs. Across all programs, MCW seek to act with integrity, compassion, accountability, responsibility, and excellence.

This fully funded fellowship in the USA is open to individuals of age between 18 to and to several academic fields, so students with any academic background can apply for this fellowship program. It is a unique one-year-long leadership program, in which the participants will spend 10 days in the USA, doing in-person training program, that includes diverse speakers, workshops, events, and facilitated group work, participants can put their local issues into a larger global context while understanding why they are uniquely positioned to change their community. Participants will also determine which tools and skills can be applied to an actionable plan.

Program Details:

  • Country: USA
  • Fellowship type: Fully funded
  • Program duration: One year-long program
  • Registration Deadline: November 12, 2023

Available Study field

The MCW's Young Leaders Fellowship program presents applicants with a diversified selection of comminity project they would want to address, namely:

  • projects in the area of education,
  • projects in the area of health,
  • and projects in the area of economic security

Benefits of the Fellowship

As mentionned earlier, this is One year-long program that will allow each participants to visit and experience in-person training in the USA while exchanging with a global network of people.
Additionnally, participant will receive the following coverage:

  • International Economy Flights
  • Housing during the training
  • Three meals per day during the training
  • Round Trip Travel from New York, New York to Burlington, Vermont
  • Public Transportation to/from JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark Airports

How does it work

During the fellowship, participant will have to follow three main process which are:

1- Virtual | Community Needs Assessment for one month

The Fellowship begins with an intensive community mapping and needs assessment to help participants understand their local communities better. Young Leaders will be provided with the tools and knowledge to assess their community. This phase is implemented prior to starting the in-person training, as it will give the young leaders a better understanding of the community’s needs.

2- In-Person | Vision Planning & Project Development for 10 Days

Participants come to the Fellowship in the US with an idea of a community issue they want to address. Through the in-person training program, which includes diverse speakers, workshops, events, and facilitated group work, participants can put their local issues into a larger global context while understanding why they are uniquely positioned to change their community. Participants will also determine which tools and skills can be applied to an actionable plan.

3- Virtual | Project Implementation & Alumni Mentorship for 10 Months

To further develop and execute their actionable plans, Young Leaders are paired with alumni mentors, who will guide them in the in-person program toward creating an actionable plan. These mentors have gone through the Fellowship program and successfully graduated from it. During the year, alumni mentors support participants by facilitating quarterly “hangouts” and ongoing remote communication. Alumni mentors undergo customized training prior to the start of the program to support team building and cultural competency among the diverse group of Young Leaders.

Eligibility Criteria

To be elligible for this program, participants needs to follow the following requirements:

  • Demonstrate commitment to their community;
  • Identify an issue in their community in the areas of education, health, or economic security;
  • Be between the ages of 18-26 at the start of the program (June 1, 2024);
  • Be fluent in written and spoken English;
  • Commit to doing the Community Needs Assessment, attending the in-person program, and spending the following year aiming to execute their community project;
  • Have access to email and the internet to allow for consistent communication with the MCW Global Team and Young Leaders Fellowship alumni-mentor for the duration of the year-long program;
  • Adhere to Young Leaders Fellowship graduation guidelines (to be provided upon acceptance to the program);
  • Be eligible for appropriate visa and travel documentation;

Required Documents

For those who are interested in this fellowship and are eligible according to the above criteria, you can prepare the following documents (in english):

  • Essay questions (available on the application portal)
  • Resume
  • Two letters of recommandations

Important Dates

Application should be sent on the institution's platform no later than November 12, 2023

First-round Decisions will be Sent Out and Shortlist Candidates will be Notified by December 4, 2023

How to apply

The application process is straightforward and can be summarized in three simple steps: first, create an account; second, submit your documents and provide all the necessary information; and finally, patiently await notifications.

For more informations

For further informations, such as the contact person or if you want to learn more about the program, please feel free to use the source link below: