EUI School of Transnational Governance Young African Leaders Program 2023

Deadline: February 22, 2023

The Young African Leaders Program (YALP) of the EUI School of Transnational Governance (STG) provides a unique opportunity for aspiring leaders from Africa to further develop their policy work and professional skills amidst international experts and global leaders.

In the dynamic academic environment of the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence, selected participants will take part in seminars, trainings and skills development sessions, conferences, and study visits in Europe. Interaction with the other fellows, policymakers and the academic community at the EUI will make this a highly enriching experience.

The fellowship is a full-time and fully-funded program.

Places in the three-month leadership program are fully-funded with a grant of € 2,500 per month. African leaders must live in the area of Florence for the duration of their stay. The language of the program is English. The program targets mid-career, high potential emerging leaders, policymakers, diplomats, and professionals from Africa, working in national and local authorities, regional, continental, international organizations and development partners, civil society organizations, academia, media and the private sector, in Africa.

The fellowship is open to mid-career professionals and executives under the age of 35 at the start of the program on 1 September 2023. Women and people with disabilities will exceptionally be considered up to the age of 40 on 1 September 2023.

Applicants need to be African nationals residing in Africa.

Special attention will be paid to ensuring access to the program for young people with disabilities and dedicated measures will be foreseen during the fellowship as needed.

This program is supported by DG International Partnerships of the European Commission.

SEE ALSO: The Andrea Levy Scholarship 2023

Eligibility Criteria

The fellowship is open to mid-career professionals and executives under the age of 35 at the start of the programme on 1 September 2023. Women and people with disabilities will exceptionally be considered up to the age of 40 on 1 September 2023.

Applicants need to be African nationals residing in Africa.

Age, gender and disabilities

• The fellowship is open to mid-career professionals and executives under the age of 35 at the start of the programme on 1 September 2023.
• Women and people with disabilities will exceptionally be considered up to the age of 40 on 1 September 2023.
• Women and people living with disabilities will be given priority in the selection process. Applicants with disabilities need to submit a medical certificate via confdocs.yalp-apply@eui.eu (this email address should only be used for submission of medical certificates), as per EUI policy on Disability and specific educational needs policy. This information will be treated confidentially to apply the flexible age criteria in the selection process. It will be deleted after the selection procedure.

Language

• Applicants must be fluent in written and spoken English. English language proficiency is required for applicants for whom English is not their first language. The expected level of English proficiency is level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
• An English certificate is not requested as part of the application, but successful candidates may be invited for an interview in English and requested to provide a certificate/supporting document on registration. This can be one of the international certificates listed below, or another supporting document showing that the candidate’s level of English is sufficient for using it as a working language (for example, a certificate of attendance of English language schools, a degree in English as a foreign language, a proof of work in an English-speaking environment). Native English speakers are exempt of proof.
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)*
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
  • Cambridge English Examinations (CAE)
  • Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC)
  • Business English Certificate (BEC)

*including special TOEFL Home Edition Test, for candidates who are unable to take the test at a test centre due to public health concerns.

Work experience

• We are looking for mid-career, high potential policymakers, diplomats, and professionals from Africa, working in national and local authorities, regional, continental, international organisations and development partners, civil society organisations, academia, media and private sector, in Africa
• Potential beneficiaries should have at least seven years of relevant work experience.

Nationality and residence

Applicants need to be African nationals residing in Africa.

Education and field

• Applicants must hold a master’s degree or higher qualification. They should be committed to contribute to strategic themes and policy areas relevant to transnational governance. These include climate change and resilience, gender empowerment, cross-border economic and resource governance, diplomacy, digital politics, trade and investment, education, science and technology, skill development, migration and mobility, humanitarian disasters such as pandemics, regional integration and regional governance, democracy and human rights, peace and security. These areas are crucial to deliver sustainable and locally-owned development in African countries, as well as to contribute to the effective implementation of the Africa-EU partnership, the African Union’s Agenda 2063, African Continental Free Trade Area, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Have a look at STG programmes and initiatives on topics related to governance beyond the state.

Application Procedure

Applications must be submitted through the online application form. There are no paper forms to complete or to mail – hard copy or email applications will not be accepted.

There are two distinct phases in the application process:

1. Register your application
2. Submit your application by 22 February 2023 (15:00 Italian time, CET)

Once you have registered your application, you may continue to work on the details and attachments until the deadline. Submit the application only when you have filled in all the information correctly and have successfully uploaded the final version of the attachments.

After submission, it will not be possible to update or modify your application.

Application Requirement

Candidates should submit the following documents in the English language and in PDF:

• A CV in PDF of maximum 3 pages.
• A short biography in the application form: the bios serves in the selection process and will also be used for communications purposes if the applicant is accepted for the fellowship. Please write the bios in third person singular using maximum 1000 characters including spaces. Where possible, it should point out the work or studies the candidate has carried out on EU-Africa relations, which will be an asset in the selection process.
• A statement of purpose, in PDF: in the statement of purpose, you explain who you are and why you deserve to be part of the Young African Leaders Programme and the EUI-STG. Use the statement to elaborate your views and perspectives on the link between your participation in the programme and the EU-Africa partnership and relations. It gives the admissions committee a chance to get to know you and understand how you could add value to the programme.
  
  The statement of purpose needs to be maximum four pages and include:
  • Introduction – a brief introduction of yourself and your background relating to your motivation to apply for the Young African Leaders Programme.
  • Body, stating your:

1) relevant experience and accomplishments related to your field of work

2) professional goals as they relate to the programme

3) reason of interest in the programme

4) your added value to the programme, also in relation to the Africa-EU partnership

• Conclusion – summarizing the statement including key pointers as to why the admission committee should select you.

• A short summary (minimum 1000 characters in the dedicated box in the application form) of the statement of purpose mentioned above.
• A copy of the highest educational certificate/ transcript and language in which this highest level of education was achieved.
• Name and contact details of one referee, preferably a person who has worked with the applicant, whom the EUI may contact. Give preference to non-academic referees.

Application Registration Deadline: 22nd February 2023

To Apply: Click here

Official Website: Click here