The AFC Fellowship serves as both a leadership development programme and a forum for debate and exchange among emerging generation leaders from the global South and North. The emphasis is on our shared climate dilemma and other critical global challenges. It will boost the potential of a group of creative young leaders who, as they advance in their careers, will bridge the gap between the global North and South and identify new approaches to confront the climate crisis.
The AFC Fellowship is a collaboration between Common Purpose and Africa Finance Corporation (AFC). The AFC Fellowship builds on the success of the pilot programme which ran in 2023 with 50 participants from around the world.
To join the AFC Fellowship, the first step is to be accepted onto the Climate Challenge Leadership Programme. Successful applicants will join a cohort of 40 people from different backgrounds and sectors and from around the world. The Climate Challenge Leadership Programme comprises two key elements:
Leading Beyond Authority
Climate Challenge
The Fellows community
Benefits of AFC Fellowship For Young Africans
Participants will:
Enhance their ability to Lead Beyond Authority equipping them to work across boundaries; a pre-requisite to solving any complex problem
Grow new networks by connecting with diverse participants, contributors and speakers from the global North and South who they would otherwise never meet
Stretch their analytical and creative skills by exposing them to a new approach to innovation
Develop their influencing skills by putting them in front of senior decision-makers to present their findings
Generate new ideas and approaches to meet this hugely important challenge
Requirements for AFC Fellowship For Young Africans
Successful applicants will be emerging leaders from different sectors, backgrounds, and communities across the global North and South.
They will be:
Emerging leaders (with 5+ years of professional experience)
Highly motivated individuals who show commitment to bring about positive change, and who can demonstrate their leadership potential and/or capability
Interested in, or have experience of, environmental issues
18 years of age or older
Proficient in written and spoken English
Able to commit to the duration of the Fellowship.
Selection Process
Programme details:
Format: Online – the sessions take place live on Zoom. Resources and learning materials are provided via our online platform which is available 24/7.
Cost: There is no cost to participants as this programme is funded by Africa Finance Corporation.
Language: The programme is conducted in English; participants must be proficient in written and spoken English.
10 October 2024: Online platform opens – 3 hours of independent online learning in preparation for the live sessions to follow
16 October 2024: Programme launch session – 1.5 hours real-time live on Zoom
23 October & 6 & 14 November 2024: Leading Beyond Authority – 6 hours of real-time live sessions on Zoom
4-5 & 10-11 December 2024: Climate Challenge programme – 18 hours of real-time live sessions on Zoom
17 December 2024: Learning & Action Planning session – 1.5 hours real-time live on Zoom
