Applications are now open for the third cohort of the Education Changemakers Program (ECM) in East and Central Africa, a leadership development initiative supporting young educators, school leaders, innovators, and policy advocates working to improve education outcomes across the region.
The programme is spearheaded by the Regional Leadership Center East Africa at Kenyatta University in partnership with the Trevor Noah Foundation (TNF), with support from the Oak Foundation and is designed for young leaders actively working in or alongside the primary and secondary education sectors in East and Central Africa.
The programme focuses on equipping changemakers with practical tools, networks, and support systems to address education challenges in their communities while strengthening learning outcomes for underserved youth. Participants selected for the programme will take part in immersive in-person leadership training, mentorship engagements, and collaborative learning experiences aimed at strengthening their leadership capacity and expanding their impact.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must:
- Be between 18 and 35 years old
- Be from one of the eligible East and Central African countries
- Be actively working in or with the primary or secondary education sector
- Demonstrate commitment to improving education outcomes
- Be proficient in English
- Be a first-time applicant and not an alumnus of YALI RLC or the Mandela Washington Fellowship
- Commit to the full in-person training and post-programme engagement
Eligible countries include: Burundi, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Programme Benefits
Selected participants will benefit from:
- Leadership development training
- Mentorship and coaching opportunities
- Access to a regional network of education changemakers
- Small grant opportunities to support education initiatives
- Exposure to collaborative learning and innovation frameworks
- Opportunities to strengthen locally led education solutions
