The ICMM Young Leaders Scholarship 2026 is now open for applications. This fully funded international leadership opportunity will support young leaders from around the world to attend the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa.
The scholarship is offered by the International Council on Mining and Metals in partnership with One Young World. It is designed for young people working on sustainability, biodiversity, climate action, responsible mining, community development, and human rights.
Selected participants will join the global summit taking place in Cape Town from 3 to 6 November 2026. The programme will bring together young leaders, professionals, activists, entrepreneurs, and policy advocates from more than 190 countries.
WhatsApp ChannelOverview of ICMM Young Leaders Scholarship 2026
- Host Organizations: ICMM and One Young World
- Summit Location: South Africa
- Summit Dates: 3–6 November 2026
- Application Deadline: 7 June 2026
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What is the ICMM Young Leaders Scholarship?
The ICMM Young Leaders Scholarship supports individuals who are creating impact in sustainability and environmental responsibility. The programme focuses on leadership related to biodiversity conservation, decarbonisation, responsible natural resource production, and social performance.
ICMM stated that the mining and metals sector plays an important role in the global transition to a net-zero economy. The scholarship aims to support future leaders who can contribute to sustainable development while protecting communities and the environment.
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Scholarship Benefits
Selected scholars will receive full funding to attend the One Young World Summit 2026. The benefits include:
- Full access to the One Young World Summit 2026
- Hotel accommodation during the summit
- Networking opportunities with global leaders
- Participation in expert-led mentoring sessions
- Access to the One Young World Action Accelerator
- Membership in the One Young World Ambassador Community
- Leadership training through the Global Kickstart Programme
- Exclusive dialogue session with the ICMM CEO
The scholarship mainly covers participation costs connected to the summit experience in Cape Town.
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Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be between 18 and 35 years old at the time of the summit
- Demonstrate leadership experience or social impact
- Be actively working on projects or initiatives connected to sustainability
- Show interest in environmental and social development
- Be willing to collaborate with other scholarship recipients
Applicants should have proven work or impact in at least one of these fields:
Focus Areas
- Biodiversity conservation
- Decarbonisation and climate action
- Responsible natural resource production
- Social performance and community resilience
- Human rights initiatives
- Sustainability communication and advocacy
The organizers may also consider applicants older than 35 if they can demonstrate strong impact and leadership experience.
Required Documents
Applicants may need to prepare the following:
- Personal details and contact information
- Educational and professional background
- Description of leadership activities and achievements
- Project or initiative details
- Supporting documents if requested
- Reference letters
- Pitch video or online interview for shortlisted candidates
Additional documents may be requested during the selection process.
Selection Process
The selection process will focus on leadership potential, measurable impact, and commitment to sustainability.
Shortlisted applicants may be invited to:
- Submit additional supporting documents
- Record a short pitch video
- Attend an online interview with representatives from ICMM and One Young World
The organizers will select candidates who demonstrate practical impact and strong engagement in their communities or professional sectors.
How to Apply for ICMM Young Leaders Scholarship 2026
Applicants must complete the online application through the official One Young World scholarship portal.
Application Steps
- Visit the official application portal
- Create or log into your account
- Fill in personal and professional information
- Explain your leadership work and achievements
- Submit all required details before the deadline
Apply Here: Official ICMM Young Leaders Scholarship Application
About One Young World Summit 2026
The One Young World Summit is an international gathering of young leaders from across the world. The summit includes keynote sessions, networking activities, leadership workshops, and discussions on global challenges.
According to One Young World, the organization has a community of more than 20,000 young leaders across over 190 countries.
