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APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM 2026 - 2027
Empowering young leaders through skills development, innovation, and community transformation across Malawi.
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SECONDSAre you a passionate and driven young leader looking to make a difference in your community?
Join the movement! Umunthu Plus, in collaboration with Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT), and the Mastercard Foundation is proud to announce that applications are now open for the Youth Leadership Program 2026-2027. Part of the Going Beyond Project, this transformative initiative aims to equip young graduates with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to drive social change and foster entrepreneurship in their communities.
Why Join the Youth Leadership Program?
As a participant in the Youth Leadership Program you will be equipped with digital skills and social impact acumen, to enhance your ability to influence and contribute to socio-economic development within your community. This program aims to boost your agency and open up new work opportunities, while also building your capacity to implement the Digital Business Program locally.
During the program you will undergo 3 weeks of extensive training to prepare you for your role as a program facilitator, coach, and changemaker. After training you will be deployed back to your community for 6 months with a mission to empower your peers and local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) owners, 70% women, with essential skills for business growth. This includes soft skills, basic business skills, practical digital skills, and self-confi dence.
By joining the Youth Leadership Program, you will:
- Receive Comprehensive Training: Enhance your leadership, digital, and entrepreneurial skills through detailed training modules. You will also receive career development training and employment linkages throughout the program.
- Become a Coach and Changemaker: Serve as a role model and coach to your peers, fostering a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship in your community.
- Empower Your Community: Help local MSMEs grow by sharing essential business skills and practical digital tools.
- Join the DOTYouth Community: Become part of a vibrant network of over 5,000 young leaders across Africa, gaining access to local and international opportunities for collaboration and growth.
About the Going Beyond Project
The Going Beyond - Partnering for a Youth-Led Future project is a partnership between DOT and the Mastercard Foundation that aims to scale DOT’s evidence - based, peer-to-peer model and will be executed in four African countries - Côte d’Ivoire, Malawi, Zambia, and Tanzania. Over five years, and with the support of DOT regional hubs in Africa, the Going Beyond project will progressively transfer the responsibility for delivering DOT’s programs and equip youth as leaders of the future.
Eligibility
- Ages 18-35
- Must be Malawian nationals or a legal resident of the country.
- Applicants must be recent university or college graduates from accredited institutions with a certifi cate, diploma, or bachelor's degree. Please note, certifi cates from credible Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs in relevant subjects may be accepted.
- To qualify as a recent graduate, you must be within 6 months and five years of graduation.
- Applicants must be current residents of Nkhotakota, specifi cally from the following T/A’s Mwadzama, Mwansambo, Kalimanjira, Malengachanzi, Mphonde and Kanyenda.
- Applicants must be fully available for the duration of eight (8) months for training and placement period( April to December 2026)
- Have access to a basic smartphone or laptop and possess basic computer skills.
- Able to communicate fl uently, both orally and in writing, in the local language.
- Demonstrated leadership and passion for community development and entrepreneurship.
- Applicants should have a history of or passion for community engagement activities.
- No employment experience required
- Applicants should be unemployed or underemployed (underemployment = working part-time or in a job not fully utilizing your skill set)
- Commitment to participate fully in the program
- Added advantage: Able to communicate effectively with persons with disabilities, including through sign language.
- Deployment requirements: Following their selection, Youth Leaders will participate in program activities within their own communities. Umunthu Plus is committed to supporting local leadership development and does not require relocation.
Timeline for recruitment, selection and deployment of Community Leaders:
1. Call for Applications: 16 March 2026
2. Deadline for Application: 31 March 2026
3. Announcement of finalists: 10 April 2026
4. Induction and Training of Trainers: 13 April to 24 April 2026
5. Contracting and official deployment: 24 April 2026
6. Placement start date: 27 April 2026
7. Placement end date: 21 December 2026
2. Deadline for Application: 31 March 2026
3. Announcement of finalists: 10 April 2026
4. Induction and Training of Trainers: 13 April to 24 April 2026
5. Contracting and official deployment: 24 April 2026
6. Placement start date: 27 April 2026
7. Placement end date: 21 December 2026
Support Measures
- Non-graduates, those still in academic training and on currently full-time or part-time employment will not be considered.
- Going Beyond is committed to ensuring the meaningful inclusion of young women, and other marginalized groups of young people, including youth with disabilities, young people from rural areas and/or living in poverty, and displaced young people. Young women, and other youth from these marginalized groups are strongly encouraged to apply for this opportunity.
- Going Beyond is committed to supporting youth leaders to manage their child care responsibilities, and will be providing on-site childcare for participants that have a demonstrated need
HOW TO APPLY
Prepare the following before you start filling out the application form:
1. Your CV/ resume in PDF format.
2. A scanned copy of your higher education certificate in PDF or Image format.
3. A cover letter in PDF format.
