Young Leaders Conference (Sawa Project) – Kenya 2025 Applications Are Now Open!
What is it?
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.
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.
What We Offer?
The Young Leaders Conference- Nairobi, Kenya, September 3 – 5, 2025 (Mandatory)
The three-day Conference will encompass a comprehensive program addressing key aspects of mental health, including challenges and opportunities, leadership development, community engagement, and resource mobilization. Further sessions will focus on mitigating regional mental health stigma and fostering professional empowerment through a funding.
Vision Planning Webinars September 20 – October 20, 2025 (Mandatory)
Three additional webinars on vision planning will follow up on the Conference. These webinars will help participants build and expand an idea into a concrete project plan. The participants will then submit a completed project plan for funding.
Financial Support and Mentorship January – June 2026 (Mandatory)
Participants with actionable project plans will be invited to apply for financial support (up to $1,000) to help them in implementation. All participants are required to apply for financial support post-conference which will be subject to review and approval by the project team. Up to 10 projects will be supported financially.
Participants who receive funding will also be assigned a mentor with a background in mental health initiatives to support their project execution and reporting.
Click below to apply by May 23rd, 2025.
For eligibility and more details visit official website here
