MCW Global–The Kofi Annan Foundation Young Leaders Conference – Kenya 2025
- Omran Aburayya
- Apr 22
- 2 min read
If you are a young mental health professional or community advocate from Eastern Africa, passionate about leading change in mental health awareness and accessibility, the applications for the MCW Global–The Kofi Annan Foundation Young Leaders Conference – Kenya 2025 are now open! This fully funded program aims to empower youth through leadership training, regional networking, and project funding. Hosted in Nairobi, Kenya, the conference is a vital part of the Sawa Project, dedicated to tackling mental health stigma and enhancing access to services across six East African countries.
🗒️ Programme Summary
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Host Institution: MCW Global, in partnership with The Kofi Annan Foundation and the Africa Alliance of YMCAs
Programme Type: Professional development
Target Group: Young professionals (25-35) from Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda
Fields of Focus: Mental Health, Leadership, Advocacy, Community Development
Funding: Fully funded (conference costs, travel, accommodation, meals, post-program funding up to $1,000)
Duration: September 2025 – June 2026
Application Deadline: May 23, 2025
Start Date: September 3, 2025
Eligible To: Young leaders engaged in mental health studies, professional work, or advocacy
🎓 Conference Overview
The Young Leaders Conference 2025 will take place from September 3–5, 2025, in Nairobi. The event is designed to bring together 25–35-year-olds actively involved in mental health advocacy to explore solutions, build networks, and develop leadership capacities. It offers structured discussions, interactive workshops, and vision-building sessions aimed at combating mental health stigma and expanding services in the region.
The conference will be followed by:
Vision Planning Webinars (September 20 – October 20, 2025): Three mandatory sessions to help participants develop project proposals.
Project Funding & Mentorship** (January – June 2026): Participants with solid project plans can receive up to $1,000 in seed funding and will be assigned mentors with expertise in mental health.
🎁 Fellowship Benefits
Fully funded three-day conference in Nairobi
Roundtrip transportation (airfare or local travel)
Shared accommodation
Meals throughout the conference
Access to post-conference webinars and professional development
Up to $1,000 in seed funding for selected projects
Mentorship throughout project implementation
Opportunities for cross-cultural collaboration and long-term network building
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Be 25–35 years old
Be residents of Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania, or Uganda
Be engaged in mental health (through studies, work, or lived experience)
Demonstrate a clear interest in leadership, advocacy, and community engagement
Be available for all program phases, including webinars and mentorship sessions
Have access to reliable internet and email communication
Submit a complete application in English by May 23, 2025
📝 Application Procedure
To apply, candidates must:
Fill out the online application form
Submit a one-page resume
Respond to a series of essay questions covering their background, community engagement, and project vision
Complete a liability waiver
🗓️ The selection timeline includes:
May 23, 2025: Application closes
June 6, 2025: Acceptances issued
June 13, 2025: Confirmation deadline
June 20–27, 2025: Two mandatory virtual advisory group meetings
September 3–5, 2025: Conference in Nairobi
September – November 2025: Webinars & project planning
January – June 2026: Project execution with mentorship
🔗 OFFICIAL CALL LINK
