Building a competitive edge for prestigious international networks, such as securing one of the 350 Fully Funded Seats in France for the Global Youth Festival requires proven experience on the global stage.

If you are an emerging changemaker dedicated to environmental advocacy, sustainable development, or community resilience, a premier pathway to leadership has just opened. The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), in partnership with One Young World, is officially accepting applications for the 2026 ICMM Young Leaders Scholarship. This fully funded initiative will send exceptional young advocates to Cape Town, South Africa, to participate in the legendary One Young World Summit.

The Reward

The scholarship completely removes the financial barriers to global networking by covering every aspect of your attendance from beginning to end.

• Full Summit Access: Passes to the main One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town from November 3–6, 2026.
• Complete Travel & Logistics: Provision of round-trip economy airfare to South Africa, shared hotel accommodation, and all daily catering (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the event.
• Executive Mentorship: Exclusive access to a private dialogue session with the ICMM CEO on the sidelines of the summit.
• Long-Term Network Access: Lifelong membership in the 20,000-strong One Young World Ambassador Community, alongside entry into the expert-led Action Accelerator and Global Kickstart training systems.

Who Qualifies for the 2026 Scholarship?

The review board is seeking active, impactful individuals who can demonstrate measurable results in their fields. To be considered, you must meet the following criteria:

• Age Bracket: Candidates must be between 18 and 35 years old at the time of the summit.
• Global Openness: The opportunity is open to young professionals and activists from all countries worldwide.
• Core Impact Areas: You must lead inspiring projects or drive meaningful change either through your career or personal volunteer work focused on at least one of these pillars:
  • Biodiversity conservation and ecosystem protection.
  • Decarbonization, net-zero initiatives, and climate action.
  • Responsible natural resource production and environmental governance.
  • Social performance, human rights protection, and community resilience.
  • Publicly communicating and promoting sustainable action.

Key Rules for a Successful Application

Because the selection committee receives thousands of profiles globally, your submission needs to follow strict standards:

• No Automated Content: The application guidance explicitly notes that submissions generated by automated writing software or AI tools will be flagged and disqualified. The committee relies heavily on your genuine personal voice and authentic stories.
• Provide Concrete Metrics: Do not just explain what you do; include tangible data points (e.g., number of people trained, tons of carbon reduced, or community policies passed) to substantiate your impact.
• Plan Ahead: The online form does not save ongoing drafts before final submission. It is highly recommended to prepare your answers in a separate offline document first, then copy and paste them into the portal when fully finalized.

How to Submit Before the Deadline

Applications are highly competitive, and early submissions are reviewed thoroughly by the panel. Ensure your links, CV details, and impact metrics are finalized before initiating the process.

• Application Deadline: June 7, 2026
• Official Application Portal: Click here to apply via the One Young World Scholarship Platform