ONYINYECHI NWAIGBA 
Applications are open for Cohort 4 of the LeadGreen Fellowship, a free 12-week online leadership program designed to equip young people with the knowledge, skills and support needed to take practical action on climate and sustainability challenges.
The fellowship is aimed at young change makers who are passionate about building a greener and more sustainable Africa. It combines learning, leadership development, peer engagement and community-based action to help participants move from ideas to measurable impact.
Applications for the fourth 2026 cohort opened on August 23 and will close on September 20, 2026.
About the LeadGreen Fellowship
The LeadGreen Fellowship is designed to build a network of young African change makers who are committed to taking measurable action for a greener Africa.
The program focuses on helping participants understand climate and sustainability challenges while developing the leadership skills needed to respond to them within their communities.
Rather than limiting the program to classroom learning, fellows are expected to engage with practical activities and develop a community project framework that allows them to apply what they learn.
The fellowship is delivered online and runs for 12 weeks. Participants can expect to spend approximately three hours each week engaging with course materials, participating in live peer sessions and working on their community project framework.
Who Can Apply?
The LeadGreen Fellowship Cohort 4 is open to applicants who meet the program’s eligibility requirements.
Applicants must:
- Be between 18 and 29 years old.
- Be enrolled in a university or have recently graduated.
- Come from a low-income or first-generation background.
- Demonstrate an interest in creating positive change within their communities.
- Be willing to actively participate throughout the 12-week fellowship.
Previous leadership experience is not a strict requirement for applicants. The program is designed to support young people who demonstrate the drive and commitment to make an impact.
What the Fellowship Offers
The LeadGreen Fellowship is structured around learning, action, measurement and leadership.
Selected fellows will participate in a series of learning activities focused on climate action, sustainability and leadership development.
Participants will also engage in live peer sessions, providing an opportunity to learn alongside other young change makers and exchange ideas around the challenges affecting their communities.
Another important component of the program is the development of a community project framework. Through this process, fellows will have the opportunity to translate their learning into practical ideas that can address sustainability or climate-related issues in their communities.
The fellowship also provides participants with an opportunity to become part of a wider network of young people working towards a greener Africa.
A Focus on Practical Climate Action
Climate change is creating increasingly complex challenges for communities across Africa, affecting areas such as agriculture, livelihoods, food security, energy and the environment.
Addressing these challenges requires more than awareness. It also requires young people with the skills and confidence to develop and implement practical solutions.
The LeadGreen Fellowship seeks to contribute to this by giving participants a structured environment to learn about sustainability, develop leadership skills and work on ideas that can create measurable community impact.
The program’s emphasis on action is particularly relevant for young people who want to move beyond simply learning about climate change and become more actively involved in addressing environmental challenges.
Is the Fellowship Fully Funded?
The LeadGreen Fellowship is 100% free of charge for selected participants, according to the program’s official website.
This means participants do not have to pay a program fee to take part in the core 12-week fellowship. The program is designed to reduce financial barriers and make participation accessible to young change makers from marginalized or underserved backgrounds.
However, applicants should carefully review the official program information for any personal costs that may arise outside the fellowship itself.
Program Duration and Time Commitment
Cohort 4 of the LeadGreen Fellowship runs for 12 weeks.
Participants should expect to commit approximately three hours each week to the program. This includes engaging with course materials, attending live peer sessions and working on their community project framework.
The program is conducted online, allowing fellows from different locations to participate without relocating.
Why Young Africans Should Consider the Fellowship
For young Africans interested in climate action, sustainability, community development and leadership, the LeadGreen Fellowship offers an opportunity to build practical skills while connecting with other emerging change makers.
The fellowship can also help participants better understand how their interests and ideas can translate into community-level action.
By combining leadership development with practical project work, the program encourages participants to think about not only the problems facing their communities but also how they can contribute to solving them.
Application Deadline
Applications for the LeadGreen Fellowship Cohort 4, 2026 will close on September 20, 2026.
Eligible applicants are encouraged to complete their applications before the deadline.
Interested applicants can Apply Here
For young people interested in climate action, sustainability and community impact, the fellowship provides an opportunity to learn, connect with other change makers and begin developing practical solutions for a greener Africa.
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