The NewNow Leaders Program 2026

📖 About One Young World The NewNow Leaders Program 2026

The NewNow is a One Young World programme supported by Virgin Unite. It empowers the boldest emerging young leaders to redefine change through systems-thinking and collective action.

🎁 Benefits of the Program

The NewNow leaders will receive:

• A scholarship place at the One Young World Summit in Cape Town, 2026, and lifelong membership in the One Young World Ambassador Community.
• Features on One Young World and Virgin Unite channels, elevating their profiles among the global community of young leaders and beyond.
• Opportunities to amplify their work through media and speaking engagements.
• Access to the One Young World Global Leadership Programme and Action Accelerator.
• Membership in The NewNow Community, including exclusive capacity-building workshops designed to enhance confidence, skills, and influence as systems leaders.
• Opportunities to collaborate with fellow NewNow leaders on joint projects and advocacy.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must:

• Be aged 18 – 30.
• Be nationals of countries in the Global South.
• Have demonstrated successful leadership through real and impactful initiatives.
• Show a strong understanding of key local and/or global issues, especially those requiring systems-thinking approaches.
• Have a proven track record of implementing systems-thinking principles to generate innovative, long-term, and sustainable impact.
• Showcase evidence of impact in addressing complex challenges through systems thinking.
• Demonstrate a willingness to work collaboratively with The NewNow cohort and promote successful examples of systems change through their networks and media opportunities.

📅 Application Date and Process

• Application Deadline: 16 February, 2026
• To apply, visit the application portal.

🔗 Additional Information

For more details, visit the One Young World The NewNow Leaders Program 2026 page.

• A scholarship place at the One Young World Summit Cape Town, 2026 and lifelong membership of the One Young World Ambassador Community.
• Features on One Young World and Virgin Unite channels elevating their profiles among the global community for young leaders and beyond.
• Opportunities to amplify your work through media and speaking opportunities.
• Access to the One Young World Global Leadership Programme and Action Accelerator.
• Membership of The NewNow Community, exclusive capacity building workshops designed to enhance your confidence, skills, and influence as systems leaders.
• Opportunities to collaborate with fellow NewNow leaders on joint projects and advocacy.