East African 2025: MCW Global-Kofi Annan FoundationConference 2025 : (Deadline 23 May, 2025)

Applications are now open for the 2025 MCW Global-Kofi Annan Foundation Young Leaders Conference. MCW Global, The Kofi Annan Foundation, and the Africa Alliance of YMCAs have joined forces to implement the Sawa Project, which aims to equip young mental health professionals, community organizers, and advocates in six  Eastern African countires- Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda with the skills, resources, and networks needed to drive change.

Through leadership training, advocacy support, and seed funding, the Sawa Project aims to empower young leaders to create impactful educational programs, awareness campaigns, and outreach initiatives that increase access to mental health services and break down stigma.  The project has several phases and selected participants are required to actively participate in all the phases, including the conference, vision planning webinars, and the implementation of seed funding grants.

Program Details

Young Leaders Conference (September 3 – 5, 2025)

The Sawa Project will host a conference for young leaders building on the unique model of the “Young Leaders Conference” developed by MCW Global, which leverages leadership to solve region-specific issues through networking and guided discourse about community issues. The Young Leaders Conference is an expansion of the Young Leaders Program focused on leveraging leadership to solve region-specific issues through regional networking.

The Sawa Project Conference (hereafter referred to as the Conference) will welcome young people between the ages of 25-35 from Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda. It seeks to engage young people currently active in the field of mental health, either through studies, professional work, or community engagement. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their connection and engagement with mental health issues, either through studies, current work, or lived experiences.

Eligibility Requirements

Young Leaders Must:

• Be mental health professionals or currently active in the field of mental health through studies or lived experiences.
• Be between the ages of 25-35 at the start of the conference.
• Reside in Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania, or Uganda.
• Currently active in the field of mental health, either through studies, professional work, or community engagement.
• Be interested in leadership, professional development, mental health initiatives, community development, or lived experiences.
• Be committed to enhancing professional competencies, developing cross-cultural understanding, fostering networking opportunities, and becoming effective leaders.
• Be interested in further expanding their work and efforts in the area of mental health
• Seek to build connections and expand their professional network.
• Be dedicated to continuous learning and growth.
• Be able to articulate how the project theme aligns with their current work or aspirations.
• Demonstrate willingness to engage in networking activities.
• Commit to actively participate throughout the entire life cycle of the project.
• Be willing to share best practices and contribute to collaborative initiatives.
• Commit to fostering regional networks for future exchange.
• Commit to attending the three-day Conference.
• Commit to engaging in post-conference virtual activities.
• Have access to email and the internet to allow for consistent communication with the project team post-Conference.
• Submit a completed application on or before May 23rd, 2025, at 17:00 East Africa Time.

Application Timeline

• April 11th, 2025: Young Leaders Conference application opens;
• May 23rd, 2025: Young Leaders Conference application closes;
• June 6th, 2025: Acceptances sent out;
• June 13th, 2025: Participants’ Confirmation of acceptance;
• June 20th – June 27th, 2025: Participating in two virtual meetings with the advisory group to explore challenges in mental health in Eastern Africa (mandatory);
• September 3 – 5, 2025: Young Leaders Conference in Nairobi, Kenya;
• September 20th – October 20th, 2025: Three Vision Planning Webinars (two hours each);
• November 20th, 2025: Deadline for project submissions;
• December 1st, 2025: Final decisions sent out and mentors assigned;
• January 1st – June 1st, 2026: Project implementation, including monthly follow-up calls between the team and mentors;
• June 15th, 2026: Submission of final grant report.

Application Deadline: May 23rd, 2025

For More Information:

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