Young entrepreneurs and innovators in Rwanda are invited to apply for Cohort 4 of the Youth Entrepreneurial Design Fellowship (EDF), a fully funded programme designed to help participants transform ideas into practical, sustainable ventures. Running from July 27 to October 23, 2026, the fellowship combines entrepreneurship training, design thinking, mentorship, and real-world project development to equip young people with the skills needed to create lasting impact in their communities.
About the Fellowship
The Entrepreneurial Design Fellowship supports young people with an interest in entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable development by providing structured learning and practical experience. Rather than focusing solely on business creation, the programme encourages participants to identify real challenges within their communities and develop solutions through a human-centred design approach.
Throughout the fellowship, participants will refine ideas, test solutions with users, receive expert guidance, and strengthen their entrepreneurial capabilities while becoming part of a network of emerging changemakers.
What Fellows Will Receive
Participants will benefit from:
- Training in innovation, design thinking, and entrepreneurship
- Practical experience identifying community and market challenges
- Support to develop and test early-stage solutions and prototypes
- Continuous mentorship throughout the fellowship
- Opportunities to validate ideas through community engagement
- Pitching and Demo Day experience
- Career development support
- Networking opportunities
- Financial literacy training
- Linkages to jobs, incubation programmes, and financing opportunities
Who Can Apply?
Applicants should:
- Be between 21 and 35 years old
- Be residents of Rwanda
- Hold a bachelor’s degree or be current university students
- Demonstrate an interest in entrepreneurship and sustainability
- Be available for the full fellowship period from July 27 to October 23, 2026