Young Leaders Forum 2026 Application
The Young Leaders Forum is an inclusive program for talented and engaged young individuals, social leaders, and political activists who are committed to promoting social justice. It seeks to nurture and promote value-driven leadership for democratic governance and a just society.
It is designed to discuss social, economic, and political challenges at the local, regional, and global levels and to contribute to the development of the professional capacities of future leaders. The program consists of modules focused on skills and knowledge, and touches on topics such as political economy analysis, communication skills, design thinking, social justice, gender and feminism, labor and economy, and social democracy.
Since its inception in 2000, the program has been running in Tanzania and has cultivated a strong network of over 500 alumni, many of whom now hold key leadership positions nationwide
The program is hosted at the FES office in Dar es Salaam, with sessions taking place over two to three days each month for 5 months. To apply for the program, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Age: Applicants must be between 21 and 35 years old.
- Nationality and Residency: The program is open to Tanzanian citizens living in Tanzania (both Mainland and Zanzibar). Applicants must be available in the country for the full duration of the program.
- Education: A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification is required. However, students currently pursuing their first degree are also eligible to apply.
- Active Involvement: Applicants should be socially or politically engaged, for instance, in civil society, political parties, or trade unions.
- Applications open on Friday, 23rd January 2026, and close on Sunday, 1st February 2026, at 11:55 PM (EAT).
- Successful applicants will be notified on the 10th of February
- The eligibility tests will take place on the 18th and 19th February 2026 for Mainland applicants and on the 24th February 2026 for Zanzibar applicants.
Please ensure you review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) before beginning your application. All official communication from FES will come through the email address info.tanzania(at)fes.de or the phone number +255 683 064 694.
Important Notice: The use of AI-generated responses in your application will result in disqualification.
An information session will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, 27th January 2026, from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM (EAT). This session is crucial as it will cover key details regarding the application process. Alumni from the program will also be available to share their experiences and answer questions. To participate, please register using the link below.
FES is committed to equal opportunity, and the selection process does not discriminate on the basis of gender or disability. Applicants are strongly advised to note that the Young Leaders Forum (YLF) is free of charge, and no payment is required at any stage of the application or selection process. Any request for payment in exchange for access to the programme should be treated as fraudulent.
