Commonwealth Young Leaders Fellowship (CYLF)

A Flagship Leadership Opportunity for Youth Across the Commonwealth

The Commonwealth represents one of the largest and most diverse youth populations in the world. With over 1.5 billion young people under the age of 30, youth make up more than 60% of the Commonwealth’s total population. This demographic reality places young people at the centre of the Commonwealth’s present and future — as innovators, advocates, public servants, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.

Across its 56 member states, young people are already driving change in education, governance, climate action, digital transformation, peacebuilding, and civic life. However, many continue to face systemic barriers including limited access to leadership pathways, mentorship, institutional exposure, and sustainable financing for their ideas.

The Commonwealth Young Leaders Fellowship (CYLF) has been established to respond to this gap by creating a structured, values-driven leadership pipeline that empowers young people to translate the principles of the Commonwealth Charter into meaningful action.

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The Commonwealth Charter and Youth Leadership

The Commonwealth Charter provides a shared foundation for cooperation among member states, anchored in commitments to:

• Democracy and democratic processes

• Human rights and human dignity

• Gender equality and inclusion

• Peace, security, and the rule of law

• Sustainable development and environmental protection

Importantly, the Charter explicitly recognises the positive and active role of young people in advancing these values and calls for their inclusion in shaping the Commonwealth’s future.

CYLF operationalises this commitment by equipping young leaders not only to understand the Charter, but to live its values through leadership practice, public service, and community engagement.

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About the Commonwealth Young Leaders Fellowship

The Commonwealth Young Leaders Fellowship is a six-month intensive leadership development programme delivered under the auspices of the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, in collaboration with strategic partners across sectors.

The Fellowship is designed to identify exceptional young leaders from across Commonwealth regions and support them through a combination of:

• Structured leadership learning

• Mentorship and peer exchange

• Community-based project implementation

• Institutional immersion and global exposure

The Fellowship is deliberately pan-Commonwealth, values-based, and action-oriented.

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Fellowship Objectives

The CYLF seeks to:

1. Develop Values-Driven Leaders
   Equip emerging youth leaders with the knowledge, skills, and ethical grounding required to lead in alignment with the Commonwealth Charter.

2. Support Youth-Led Community Action
   Provide structured support and resources for youth-designed projects that promote democracy, inclusion, sustainability, equity, and social justice.

3. Strengthen Youth–Institution Engagement
   Facilitate direct interaction between young leaders and institutions to build civic understanding, trust, and policy literacy.

4. Build a Sustainable Leadership Network
   Establish a diverse and inclusive Commonwealth-wide network of young leaders committed to long-term national, regional, and global development.

5. Translate Values into Impact
   Advance the lived experience of the Commonwealth Charter by turning its principles into tangible, community-level outcomes.

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What the Fellowship Offers

1. Structured Leadership Curriculum

Fellows will participate in a comprehensive leadership curriculum co-designed with partner organisations and subject-matter experts. The curriculum integrates Commonwealth values, history, and contemporary priorities, and focuses on developing practical leadership competencies.

Core thematic areas include:

• Ethical leadership and public service

• Democratic governance and civic participation

• Climate justice and environmental sustainability

• Gender equality and social inclusion

• Digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and innovation

• Peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and social cohesion

• Public communication, policy analysis, and advocacy

Learning will be delivered through interactive workshops, masterclasses, case studies, and peer learning sessions.

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2. Community-Based Project Implementation

Each fellow will design and implement a community-based leadership project in their home country. These projects must:

• Align with the principles of the Commonwealth Charter

• Address a clearly identified local challenge

• Demonstrate values-driven, inclusive leadership

Fellows will receive:

• A modest stipend to support their participation in the Fellowship

• Project funding support to facilitate implementation

• Ongoing mentorship and technical guidance

This component ensures that learning is applied directly to real-world challenges.

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3. Immersion Period: Institutional and Global Exposure

A defining feature of the CYLF is the Immersion Period, during which fellows will participate in a one-week in-person experience at:

• The Commonwealth Secretariat in London, or

• A designated partner institution or Commonwealth country

The Immersion Period will include:

• Policy roundtables with practitioners and decision-makers

• Institutional briefings on Commonwealth governance and operations

• Peer exchange and collaborative learning

• Visits to diplomatic missions, youth engagement spaces, and partner organisations

This experience is designed to expose fellows to the realities of policymaking, diplomacy, and international cooperation.

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4. Mentorship, Peer Learning, and Network Building

Throughout the Fellowship, fellows will benefit from:

• Mentorship from experienced leaders and practitioners

• Peer-to-peer learning across regions and sectors

• Opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange

Upon completion, fellows will become members of the Commonwealth Young Leaders Network, a growing alumni community committed to sustained collaboration, accountability, and impact beyond the Fellowship period.

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5. Certification and Final Showcase

At the conclusion of the programme:

• Fellows will present their projects and learning outcomes at a final showcase

• Participants will receive official certification recognising successful completion of the Fellowship

• Outstanding projects and fellows may be highlighted through Commonwealth communication channels

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Programme Structure

• Duration: Six months

• Format: Hybrid (virtual learning and in-person immersion)

• Components:

  • Thematic leadership training

  • Community project design and implementation

  • Immersion week

  • Mentorship and peer exchange

  • Final showcase and certification

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Governance and Quality Assurance

The Commonwealth Young Leaders Fellowship is supported by a Technical Committee established by the Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC). The Committee provides oversight on:

• Fellowship design and curriculum development

• Selection frameworks ensuring transparency, equity, and geographic balance

• Partnership development and financial planning

• Monitoring, evaluation, safeguarding, and duty of care

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion across all programme components

This governance structure ensures that the Fellowship is credible, accountable, and aligned with Commonwealth values and institutional standards.

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Who the Fellowship Is For

The Fellowship targets exceptional young leaders from Commonwealth member states who demonstrate:

• Proven leadership and community engagement

• Commitment to Commonwealth values

• Capacity to design and deliver impact-driven initiatives

• Willingness to collaborate across cultures and regions

Detailed eligibility criteria and application guidelines will be published separately.

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A Call to Commonwealth Youth

The challenges facing our world demand leaders who are principled, prepared, and deeply connected to the communities they serve. The Commonwealth Young Leaders Fellowship is an investment in those leaders — and in the future of the Commonwealth itself.

Through CYLF, young people are not only included in the Commonwealth’s story; they are empowered to shape its direction, defend its values, and drive its impact.

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