Resilience Fellowship 2026 for East African Youth: Fully Supported 9-Month Leadership and Mental Health Fellowship for Climate Changemakers

Young climate leaders across East Africa now have an exciting opportunity to join the transformative Resilience Fellowship 2026, a youth-centered leadership and wellbeing program designed to equip changemakers with the tools, networks, emotional resilience, and leadership skills needed to navigate climate activism and community work sustainably.

Organized by The Resilience Project, the fellowship is returning for its fifth edition and is currently recruiting passionate young leaders from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania.

The 2026 cohort will select 12 pairs of East African changemakers aged 18–28 to participate in a highly immersive 9-month fellowship journey focused on healing, resilience, climate justice, mental wellbeing, mentorship, and grassroots community leadership.

Unlike many traditional fellowships, the Resilience Fellowship is intentionally designed by youth for youth, creating a deeply human-centered experience that prioritizes emotional wellbeing, collaboration, and sustainable activism.

About the Resilience Fellowship 2026

Climate activism and community leadership can be deeply rewarding, but they can also lead to emotional exhaustion, burnout, climate anxiety, and isolation. The Resilience Fellowship was created to address these realities by helping young changemakers build healthier, stronger, and more resilient ways of leading change.

The fellowship provides participants with a safe and empowering space to:

• Deepen their activism
• Improve emotional wellbeing
• Build supportive peer relationships
• Strengthen community resilience
• Learn facilitation and leadership skills
• Receive mentorship from experienced leaders
• Explore healing and restorative practices

The program combines personal development, peer-led facilitation, community engagement, mentorship, and mental health training into one comprehensive fellowship experience.

What Fellows Will Receive

Selected fellows will gain access to a wide range of professional, personal, and leadership benefits throughout the fellowship period.

1. Fully Supported 5-Day Residential Retreat

Participants will attend a 5-day in-person Resilience Residential designed to promote restoration, healing, reflection, and connection in nature.

The retreat includes:

• Accommodation
• Meals
• Meaningful peer discussions
• Wellness and healing sessions
• Restorative activities
• Community-building experiences

This immersive experience is one of the fellowship’s core highlights and helps fellows reconnect with themselves and others in a supportive environment.

2. Mental Health First Aid Certification

Fellows will receive professional training and certification as Mental Health First Aiders, equipping them with practical skills to support emotional wellbeing within their communities.

This certification adds both personal and professional value while strengthening community mental health support systems.

3. Leadership and Facilitation Skills

Participants will gain practical experience and training in:

• Facilitation
• Community leadership
• Project management
• Emotional support practices
• Community care strategies
• Peer engagement techniques

These skills are designed to help fellows lead more effectively within climate and social justice spaces.

4. Monthly Mentorship

Over the course of 8 months, fellows will receive guidance from experienced intergenerational mentors who will support their personal growth, leadership journey, and community initiatives.

Mentorship sessions will help participants:

• Navigate challenges
• Strengthen leadership confidence
• Improve project implementation
• Build long-term resilience

5. Community Support and Lifelong Networks

The fellowship strongly emphasizes connection and solidarity.

Participants will become part of a powerful regional network of young East African changemakers committed to climate justice, emotional wellbeing, and sustainable activism.

Many fellows develop long-lasting friendships, collaborations, and professional partnerships during the program.

6. Financial Support

Selected fellows will receive:

• A KES 40,000 stipend
• Fully covered travel costs

This financial support helps reduce participation barriers and ensures fellows can fully engage in the program.

Fellowship Timeline

The Resilience Fellowship runs from:

July 2026 to March 2027

During this period, fellows will participate in training sessions, mentorship, facilitation activities, community engagement, and reporting responsibilities.

Fellowship Commitments and Responsibilities

The fellowship is described as a high-commitment program, and applicants are expected to fully participate in all activities throughout the 9-month journey.

Fellows Must Commit To:

1. Mental Health First Aid Training

Participants must complete:

• A 2-day online Mental Health First Aid training program

2. Attendance at the Residential Retreat

Selected fellows must fully attend the in-person residential event scheduled for:

31 July – 4 August 2026

3. Co-Leading Resilience Circles

Fellows will facilitate community-based Resilience Circles involving:

• 16–20 young people
• Weekly sessions over 8 weeks
• Approximately 5–6 hours per week for preparation and facilitation

These circles are designed to strengthen emotional resilience and community wellbeing among young people.

4. Weekly Reporting and Coordination

Participants will be responsible for:

• Submitting feedback after sessions
• Reporting progress and data
• Connecting with the TRP team weekly

5. Monthly Check-Ins

Fellows must join monthly community calls for:

• Updates
• Reflection
• Problem-solving
• Peer learning

6. Monthly Mentorship Meetings

Each fellow will meet with their assigned mentor for one hour every month.

Who Should Apply?

The fellowship is seeking passionate young changemakers who are committed to climate justice, emotional wellbeing, and community leadership.

Ideal applicants are individuals who:

• Care deeply about social and environmental issues
• Want to strengthen their leadership capacity
• Are open to emotional growth and healing
• Value collaboration and community care
• Are interested in mental health and resilience-building

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the Resilience Fellowship 2026, applicants must:

• Be between 18–28 years old
• Be based in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, or Tanzania
• Be available from July 2026 to March 2027
• Apply with a partner
• Be passionate about climate justice and resilient communities
• Be proficient in English
• Be willing to facilitate community Resilience Circles
• Be open to conversations around climate anxiety, burnout, and emotional wellbeing

Important Requirement: Applications Must Be Submitted in Pairs

One unique feature of the fellowship is that applicants must apply as pre-formed pairs.

This means:

• You and your partner should already work well together
• Both applicants will jointly facilitate Resilience Circles in their local communities
• The fellowship prioritizes collaboration and peer leadership

Applicants are encouraged to identify partners with complementary strengths and shared values before applying.

Commitment to Inclusion and Diversity

The The Resilience Project strongly emphasizes inclusion and intersectional climate justice.

The fellowship actively welcomes applications from marginalized and underrepresented communities, including young people with lived experiences connected to:

• Race and ethnicity
• Gender identity
• Sexual orientation
• Disability
• Socio-economic inequality
• Faith and religion

The program values diversity, complexity, and inclusive leadership.

Application Process

Interested applicants must first download the official application booklet, which contains:

• Detailed application instructions
• Application guidance
• Required questions
• Submission process details

Applicants are expected to prepare all responses before submitting the online application form.

Application Deadline

Applications close at 11:59 PM EAT on Sunday, 31 May 2026.

Click here for more and to apply.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early and carefully prepare thoughtful responses that demonstrate their passion, partnership strength, leadership potential, and commitment to resilient community building.

Why the Resilience Fellowship Matters

Climate activism often focuses heavily on action while overlooking emotional wellbeing and sustainability. The Resilience Fellowship addresses this gap by helping young leaders build emotional resilience alongside practical leadership skills.

This fellowship recognizes that sustainable social change requires healthy, supported, and emotionally grounded leaders.

By combining mentorship, healing, mental health support, leadership development, and grassroots action, the fellowship creates a powerful platform for East African youth to thrive personally while strengthening their communities.

For more global fellowship opportunities Click here.