Apply for SELA Introductory Fellowship Program

The SELA Introductory Fellowship Program is a free four-week online fellowship designed for young Africans aged 18–35 who want to create positive change in their communities but have little or no previous experience in advocacy or volunteering. The programme provides sustainability leadership training, helps participants identify community challenges, and supports them in developing their first community impact project idea. What Is the SELA Introductory Fellowship? The SELA Introductory Fellowship is a four-week online leadership and community impact programme for emerging young changemakers across Africa. The fellowship is specifically designed for people who are interested in solving real community problems but may not yet know: Which issue to focus on. How to identify a meaningful community problem. How to develop a project idea. Where to begin with community action. How to turn an idea into a practical initiative. Through live learning sessions and cohort-based activities, participants gain the knowledge and confidence needed to take their first steps toward community impact. Why Does the Fellowship Matter? Many young people want to contribute to their communities but lack practical experience in advocacy, volunteering, project design, or social impact. The SELA Introductory Fellowship provides an entry point for these emerging changemakers.

The programme helps participants:

Understand sustainability leadership. Identify problems affecting their communities. Develop clarity about the issues they want to address. Transform community challenges into project ideas. Build confidence as emerging leaders. Learn alongside other young Africans. Develop their first community impact project. Build connections with changemakers across Africa. The programme therefore focuses on capacity building and practical project development, rather than requiring participants to already have an established initiative. What Will Participants Learn? The fellowship includes live online sessions focused on sustainability leadership and community problem-solving.

Participants can expect to develop skills in areas such as

Developing practical responses to local challenges. The learning process is designed to help participants move from “I want to make a difference” to “I know what problem I want to address and what my first project could look like.” What Community Issues Can Participants Address? The fellowship does not restrict participants to one specific social issue. Young Africans can explore challenges affecting their own communities, including areas such as: Applicants should focus on a problem that is meaningful to their community and one they are genuinely interested in helping solve. Who Is Eligible to Apply? The fellowship is intended for young Africans aged 18–35.

Applicants must:

Be aged 18 to 35. Reside in Africa. Be interested in creating positive community impact. Have little or no previous experience in advocacy or volunteering. Be willing to participate in the four-week online programme. Commit approximately 3–4 hours per week. The programme is particularly suitable for young people who have the motivation to make a difference but are still at the beginning of their community leadership journey. Is Previous Advocacy or Volunteering Experience Required? No. One of the distinguishing features of the SELA Introductory Fellowship is that it is designed for young Africans who do not have prior experience in advocacy or volunteering. Applicants do not need to be established activists, nonprofit leaders, or experienced project managers. The programme provides an opportunity to learn the fundamentals and develop an initial project idea from the ground up. How Long Is the Fellowship? The SELA Introductory Fellowship lasts four weeks.

Participants should expect to dedicate approximately 3–4 hours each week to the programme

The online format allows fellows from different African countries to participate in the same learning community. Is the SELA Fellowship Free? Yes. The fellowship is 100% free for selected fellows. There is no participation cost for fellows accepted into the programme. What Happens After the Fellowship? Completing the fellowship provides participants with more than the four-week learning experience. Fellows become part of an alumni network of changemakers across Africa. This network can provide opportunities to remain connected with other young leaders who are working toward positive social and community change. How Does the Fellowship Work?

Step 1: Identify Your Motivation

Applicants should consider why they want to create positive change in their community. You do not need to have a complete project idea before applying.

Step 2: Apply to the Fellowship

Submit an application demonstrating your interest in community impact and willingness to learn. Applicants should focus on their motivation, interests, and potential rather than trying to present themselves as experienced advocates.

Step 3: Join the Online Cohort

Selected fellows participate in a cohort-based learning environment with other young Africans.

Step 4: Attend Live Learning Sessions

Participants take part in live sessions focused on sustainability leadership and community impact. The sessions help fellows understand how to identify meaningful problems and think about potential solutions.

Step 5: Develop Your First Project Idea

During the fellowship, participants gain clarity about the issue they want to address and begin developing their first community impact project.

Step 6: Join the Alumni Network

After completing the programme, fellows become part of the wider SELA alumni network of African changemakers. How to Prepare a Strong Application Applicants do not need an established organisation or finished project. Why they want to learn about sustainability leadership. What they hope to accomplish through the fellowship. How they intend to use what they learn. Being honest about being at the beginning of your journey can be