The Resilience Project (TRP) is proud to announce the fourth edition of its Resilience Fellowship, returning this year exclusively to East Africa, beginning in Kenya. Designed by youth, for youth, the fellowship offers seven pairs of East African changemakers, ages 18–26, an immersive nine-month journey focused on personal growth, healing, leadership, and community resilience. Applications for this edition closed at 11:59 PM EAT on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
About the Fellowship
The Resilience Fellowship is a human-centered program that provides a supportive space for young activists to deepen their impact, connect with like-minded peers, and co-lead meaningful change within their communities. Participants engage in a structured program combining experiential learning, mentorship, and practical facilitation opportunities, aimed at building both personal and community resilience.
Participants receive:
- A KES 40,000 stipend to support their participation, along with travel covered for the Resilience Residential from October 3–7, 2025.
- Five days of restorative programming in nature during the Resilience Residential, including nourishing meals, reflective conversations, and structured healing activities.
- Certification as a Mental Health First Aider, enhancing participants’ ability to provide peer support.
- Eight months of intergenerational mentorship with experts across mental health, leadership, climate justice, and community development.
- Skills in facilitation, leadership, project management, and community care.
- Opportunities to reduce climate anxiety, improve emotional wellbeing, and strengthen community connections.
- Lifelong friendships and a robust support network of peers and mentors.
Alumni testimonials reflect the transformative nature of the fellowship. Simran Dhingra, a 2022 alumna, shared: “This is one of the most important things I’ve ever done in my life. I feel stronger, more resilient, and capable. I highly recommend it.” Similarly, Maria Olivella, a 2024 alumna, described the experience as “life-changing and enlightening, leaving me hopeful and inspired to change the world.”
Program Commitment
The fellowship requires a high level of engagement over nine months. Participants are expected to commit to all program components, including in-person events, weekly facilitation sessions, ongoing mentorship, and community-focused projects. Specific commitments include:
- Completing a two-day Mental Health First Aid online training.
- Participating fully in the five-day Resilience Residential, October 3–7, 2025.
- Co-leading Resilience Circles in pairs, facilitating weekly sessions with 12–16 young people over eight weeks, requiring 5–6 hours per week for preparation and facilitation.
- Engaging in weekly preparation and reporting, including submitting feedback and maintaining regular contact with TRP staff.
- Attending monthly community calls to share progress, address challenges, and receive guidance.
- Meeting with an assigned mentor for one hour each month to develop skills, gain insights, and strengthen leadership capacity.
Eligibility Criteria
The fellowship is open to East African youth aged 18–26, based in Kenya, and able to participate fully from September 2025 through March 2026. Applications must be submitted in pairs, reflecting the program’s emphasis on collaborative leadership within Resilience Circles.
TRP prioritizes inclusion and actively encourages applications from marginalized communities, including youth with lived experience of inequality related to race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, socio-economic background, or faith. The fellowship embraces complexity, intersectionality, and diverse perspectives in climate justice and community resilience.
Ideal Candidates
The fellowship seeks participants who are:
- Committed to dedicating time and energy to the program for its full duration.
- Passionate about climate justice, community resilience, and supporting the growth of peers.
- Compassionate leaders and active listeners who can facilitate meaningful dialogue and community engagement.
- Open to exploring topics such as climate anxiety, burnout, and emotional wellbeing.
- Proficient in English and capable of engaging in collaborative, reflective work.
The Resilience Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for young East African changemakers to expand their leadership skills, strengthen personal resilience, and contribute meaningfully to community wellbeing. Through structured mentorship, experiential learning, and peer collaboration, fellows leave the program empowered to address challenges, nurture emotional wellbeing, and co-create solutions for sustainable change.
For more information and to apply, visit Resilience Fellowship page.
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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the fellowship organization. For any inquiries, please contact the Resilience Projects directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
