Powering Young Initiatives

Nominations are now open for the 2026 World YMCA Awards! 🏆

YMCAs worldwide are invited to nominate outstanding projects aligning with YMCA Vision 2030. Awards will be presented at World Council in Toronto, Canada.

The 2026 Awards will highlight outstanding projects that align with YMCA Vision 2030 and across the four Pillars: Community Wellbeing, Meaningful Work, Sustainable Planet and Just World.

Nominate up to four projects (one per category) that demonstrate impact, innovation, and meaningful community difference.

📅 Deadline: 16 March 2026, 23:59 CET
📝 Nominations accepted in English, Spanish and French

The form and details at https://www.ymca.int/world-ymca-awards/ or email [email protected]

Are you a graduate in the health sector looking to build financial discipline and entrepreneurial skills?

Young Women in Action (YWA), in partnership with Amref, invites you to join our Village Savings & Loan Association (VSLA) initiative!

This is your chance to network, save, and learn how to turn your skills into a thriving enterprise.

Who Can Join?
✅ Nurses, Midwives, Clinical Officers & Health Volunteers
✅ Recent Graduates (Classes 2023–2025)
✅ Persons with Disabilities
✅ Focus: Financial Discipline & Entrepreneurship

Available in: Lusaka, Kafue, Ndola, and Kitwe

How to Apply:
Click the link below to fill out the application form 👇
https://forms.gle/m3uHeq82zb21g6hD8

Photo focus: ECOSOCC Civil Society Pre-Summit on the AU Theme of the Year!

African Union ECOSOCC African Union Africans Rising

Strong leadership starts with strong communication. 🗨️

Join us this February 12 at the American Corner in NIPA from 1-4 PM for Communications for Leaders workshop led by former American Spaces Zambia Director, Jaymee Lewis-Flenaugh, Ph.D.

This high-impact training is designed for organizational leaders who want to communicate with clarity, confidence, and purpose in today's fast-paced work environment.

Participants will gain easy-to-apply skills in effective listening, clear and persuasive messaging, and influencing teams and stakeholders. The session focuses on real leadership challenges, leading conversations, managing expectations, motivating teams, and communicating decisions with impact.

This training is ideal for leaders, managers, supervisors, and emerging leaders from both the public and private sectors who want to strengthen their leadership presence and achieve better results through communication.

📆 Register today: https://forms.gle/b3hMrn4b2dnGPGSd6

All American Spaces programs are free. Limited spots available; registration is first-come, first-served.

UNESCO is happy to share the Call for Applications for the YoU-CAN Steering Committee! 🌍✨

The UNESCO Youth Climate Action Network (YoU-CAN) is a global platform bringing together youth climate networks worldwide to strengthen cooperation and scale up youth-led climate action. Since its launch at COP25 in 2019, YoU-CAN has grown into a vibrant community amplifying youth voices in climate dialogue and policy spaces.

YoU-CAN is now looking for 8 new Steering Committee members (more details in the Terms of Reference) for a 2-year mandate to help guide the Network’s next chapter - shaping strategy, governance, and priorities, and ensuring meaningful youth engagement across UNESCO’s climate work.

If you’re part of a youth-led network or know young leaders passionate about climate action and global cooperation (see the eligibility criteria in the Call for Applications), please apply & share! 🙌

👉 Apply here: https://bit.ly/460hunZ
🗓 Deadline: 15 February 2026

Let’s keep strengthening youth leadership on climate action! 🚀

Africans Rising welcomes the Zambia–Ghana visa waiver 🇿🇲🤝🇬🇭

The Zambia-Ghnana visa-waiver is a signal of what’s possible when African states choose cooperation over restriction. Visa-free travel between the people of the two African countries will make it easier for traders, entrepreneurs, creatives, and professionals to move, connect, and do business across borders.

It is clear: African solutions for African prosperity. Easier movement means stronger trade ties, new investment pathways, people-to-people exchange, and a growing belief that Africa can open up to itself more and more.

This is the Africa Africans want to see; one where borders don’t block opportunity, and cooperation drives shared growth.

Learn more about the Borderless Africa Campaign
www.africansrising.org/borderless-africa/



Africans Rising

🚨 Call for Applications 🚨

The Youth Platform - TYP is seeking a highly qualified and experienced Master Trainer to conduct a comprehensive Training of Trainers program. The goal is to build the capacity of field staff and community leaders to effectively implement and supervise Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) models.

If you have strong experience in VSLA methodologies, participatory training, and capacity building, this is your chance to make real impact at community level.

👉Check out the qualifications and requirements, and submit your application: https://tinyurl.com/54a3r8hr

📅 DEADLINE: 16th February 2026

🌱 Apply Now: Youth Climate Justice Fund (YCJF) 2026 🌱

YCJF provides direct funding to youth-led climate justice and socio-environmental movements worldwide. Strengthen your local or national initiatives with grants designed for inclusive, community-rooted climate action.

💰 Funding Overview
● Local groups: Up to USD 20,000
● National groups: Up to USD 40,000

🌍 Who Can Apply
● Youth-led groups aged 35 or below
● Based in: East Asia & Pacific, Middle East & North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America & Caribbean, South Asia, Europe & Central Asia, North America
● Groups from high-income countries must represent marginalized communities
● Must be non-partisan, non-violent, legally operating, and focused on community-based action

📌 YCJF Supports Groups That 📌
● Build inclusive and diverse leadership
● Promote accountability and ambition in climate action
● Strengthen community power and policy engagement

📝 Application Process
● Call for applications open for 4 weeks
● Regional Committees screen, review, and shortlist proposals
● Joint decision-making ensures fair and youth-led selection
● Selected groups receive support for grant compliance and join the YCJF global community

📅 Apply in 2026 – download the application package in Arabic, English, French, Hindi, Portuguese, Spanish, or Swahili.

🔗 Learn more: https://www.globalsouthopportunities.com/2026/01/31/youth-36/

UNESCO is happy to share the Call for Applications for the YoU-CAN Steering Committee! 🌍✨

The UNESCO Youth Climate Action Network (YoU-CAN) is a global platform bringing together youth climate networks worldwide to strengthen cooperation and scale up youth-led climate action. Since its launch at COP25 in 2019, YoU-CAN has grown into a vibrant community amplifying youth voices in climate dialogue and policy spaces.

YoU-CAN is now looking for 8 new Steering Committee members (more details in the Terms of Reference) for a 2-year mandate to help guide the Network’s next chapter - shaping strategy, governance, and priorities, and ensuring meaningful youth engagement across UNESCO’s climate work.

If you’re part of a youth-led network or know young leaders passionate about climate action and global cooperation (see the eligibility criteria in the Call for Applications), please apply & share! 🙌

👉 Apply here: https://bit.ly/460hunZ
🗓 Deadline: 15 February 2026

Let’s keep strengthening youth leadership on climate action! 🚀

🌟 Are you aspiring to study at a U.S.-accredited institution, whether in the United States or around the world? Your journey begins here!

Applications are now open for the 2026 EducationUSA Scholars Program! If you’re a motivated and hardworking Zambian student eager to pursue a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD at a U.S. accredited institution, this is your chance to receive expert guidance and support throughout the entire application process.

As an EducationUSA Scholar, you’ll benefit from:

✅ Personalized coaching on standardized tests
✅ Hands-on help with university research and application essays
✅ Guidance on modes of study and how to finance your studies
✅ Opportunity Funds to cover application costs

Please note: This is NOT a scholarship program, but a unique opportunity to gain the tools and support you need to succeed in the U.S. college application process.

Who can apply?

🎓 Undergraduate applicants who completed secondary school in 2024 or 2025 (current secondary students are not eligible).
🎓 Graduate applicants who completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree between 2014 and 2024.
📚Strong academic records, leadership, and character are essential.
💡Graduate applicants with research or work experience are highly encouraged.

Ready to take the next step? Apply now at: https://bit.ly/26scholars

Questions? Email us at [email protected] for more information.
⏰ Application deadline: February 19, 2026

https://www.goodmarket.global/poweringyounginitiatives

Did You Know?

Our Movement building and support team are on hand to respond to questions and comments related to all of our mobilisation and movement building programs, events and opportunities for partnership.

Feel free to email us on [email protected] or on our social media platforms.

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