NEWNOW One Young World Summit 2026 (Fully Funded) 🌍 — The One Young World Summit 2026 returns to Africa in Cape Town from 3–6 November 2026. The NewNow scholarship (supported by Virgin Unite) offers fully funded places for outstanding young leaders from the Global South.
Summit Summary
Host Country: South Africa
Location: Cape Town (CTICC and related venues)
Host / Supported by: One Young World — The NewNow (supported by Virgin Unite).
Summit Dates: 3 to 6 November 2026. 2
Deadline to apply for NewNow scholarships: 16 February 2026.
Benefit: Fully funded (travel, accommodation, meals, summit access) for selected NewNow scholars.
What the NewNow / One Young World Scholarship Covers
- Return economy travel to Cape Town (selected routes covered).
- Hotel accommodation during the Summit (private or shared depending on scholarship terms).
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner for the Summit period.
- No IELTS requirement and no application fee for the NewNow scholarship.
- Media exposure and features on One Young World and Virgin Unite channels for selected leaders.
Why Attend the One Young World Summit 2026?
The One Young World Summit 2026 is one of the world’s largest gatherings of young leaders — over 2,000 participants from more than 190 countries come together to exchange ideas, build partnerships and accelerate systems-level solutions. This is an exceptional platform for leaders who apply systems-thinking to social challenges.
Eligibility Criteria — NewNow Leaders (Summary)
To be considered for the NewNow scholarship (One Young World), applicants typically must:
- Be aged 18–30 at the time of the Summit.
- Be a citizen of a country in the Global South (check the Global South list for your country).
- Have a proven track record of leading impactful projects and applying systems-thinking to complex problems.
- Demonstrate commitment to justice, equity and collaborative solutions.
- Be willing to share experience with other young leaders and join the One Young World community.
How to Apply
Applications for the NewNow scholarship open on the One Young World scholarship page. Use the NewNow information page for details and then apply via the official One Young World application portal.
Deadline: 16 February 2026. Only complete online applications submitted before the deadline will be considered.
Related Bursaries
Tips to Strengthen Your Application 💡
- Clearly describe one or two projects where you applied systems-thinking — include outcomes and evidence (metrics or testimonies).
- Supply short, compelling references or proof of impact (photos, links, short reports).
- Tailor your personal statement to show collaboration, scalability and long-term impact.
- Make sure travel documents (passport) are valid well beyond November 2026 — selected scholars will need to confirm travel.
- Apply early — prepare answers offline first and paste into the application form to avoid timeouts.
Visible Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: When and where is the One Young World Summit 2026?
A: The Summit takes place in Cape Town, South Africa from 3–6 November 2026.
Q2: What does “fully funded” mean for NewNow scholars?
A: NewNow scholarships usually cover economy travel, accommodation during the Summit, and meals — plus Summit access. Check the NewNow page for exact scholarship terms.
Q3: Who is eligible to apply for NewNow scholarships?
A: NewNow targets emerging young leaders (typically 18–30) from the Global South with proven systems-thinking impact. Read the full eligibility on the NewNow page.
Q4: Is there an application fee or IELTS requirement?
A: There is no application fee for NewNow and no IELTS requirement for the scholarship. Confirm details on the NewNow page.
Q5: How many participants attend One Young World?
A: The Summit usually brings together around 2,000+ young leaders from 190+ countries.