The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Dutch Enterprise Agency (RVO) and One Young World, is excited to announce the launch of the Enterprising Futures Scholarship 2026. This unique opportunity is aimed at inspiring and supporting young entrepreneurs and business leaders who are dedicated to creating impactful solutions for social and environmental challenges on a global scale.
Selected candidates will have the chance to attend the prestigious One Young World Summit 2026, set to be held in Cape Town, South Africa. This gathering will bring together over 2,000 passionate young leaders from across 190 countries to share insights, gain knowledge from experts, and work together to address some of the most urgent issues facing our world today.
Why This Scholarship Matters
Entrepreneurs play a crucial role in driving economic progress and fostering innovation, particularly in developing nations. Through job creation, the introduction of innovative products and services, and the reinforcement of local value chains, they make significant contributions to sustainable development. However, many young entrepreneurs face challenges in accessing global networks, mentorship opportunities, and international platforms that can help them expand their enterprises.
The Enterprising Futures Scholarship bridges this gap by providing selected entrepreneurs with international exposure, leadership development, and access to a global community of changemakers. Through participation in the One Young World Summit and related programmes, scholars gain the tools, connections, and confidence needed to grow their ventures, attract partnerships, and create long-term impact in their communities.
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old by the date of the One Young World Summit in November 2026.
- Candidates should be founders, co-founders, or key leaders within a scalable start-up or small to medium-sized enterprise that demonstrates clear social and/or environmental impact.
- Applicants must be nationals and residents of one of the eligible countries, which include Ethiopia, Jordan, Lebanon, Mozambique, Uganda, Tunisia, Palestine, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Benin, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, South Africa, Burundi, Iraq (including the Kurdistan region), Sudan, Mali, and Algeria.
- All applicants are required to have a working knowledge of English, as the Summit and all related programmes will be conducted in English.
- Candidates must also be available to participate fully in the programme between 30 October and 7 November 2026, including all pre- and post-programme activities.
Benefits of the Scholarship
- Enterprising Futures Scholars will receive full access to the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town, as well as participation in the Global Leadership Programme and lifetime membership of the One Young World Ambassador Community.
- The scholarship also covers hotel accommodation during the pre-programme and Summit, return economy flights from the scholar’s country of residence, domestic travel to the international airport, visa costs where applicable, meals throughout the programme, and transportation between accommodation and the Summit venue.
- In addition, scholars will take part in a two-day in-person pre-programme organised by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- This pre-programme focuses on leadership development, entrepreneurship skills, peer learning, and a pitching competition designed to help participants refine their ideas and maximise the opportunities available at the Summit.
