Deadline Date: March 09, 2026
The Enterprising Futures Scholarship 2026 supports young entrepreneurs leading scalable start-ups and small to medium-sized enterprises with social or environmental impact by providing global exposure and capacity-building opportunities.
The scholarship focuses on youth entrepreneurship, scalable start-ups and SMEs, social impact, environmental impact, sustainability-driven business solutions, inclusive economic growth, innovation in emerging and frontier markets, and strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems. Offered by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs in partnership with One Young World, the scholarship is designed for entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35 who are nationals and residents of selected countries across Africa and the Middle East.
The scholarship aims to address key barriers faced by young entrepreneurs, including limited access to international networks, resources, and global platforms. By supporting innovators who are already contributing to local economic resilience and sustainability, the programme seeks to amplify their impact and strengthen business ecosystems in their home countries. Scholarship recipients will attend the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town, where they will join over 2,000 young leaders from more than 190 countries. The Summit provides opportunities to exchange ideas, learn from global experts, develop entrepreneurial skills, and build long-term international connections that support business growth and sustainable development.
Applicants must be nationals of and residents in one of the following countries: Ethiopia, Jordan, Lebanon, Mozambique, Uganda, Tunisia, Palestine, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Benin, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, South Africa, Burundi, Iraq (including the Kurdistan region of Iraq), Sudan, Mali, or Algeria. All candidates are required to have a working understanding of English, as both the One Young World Summit and the Enterprising Futures pre- and post-programmes will be conducted in English.
Eligible candidates must be leading or actively involved in a scalable business with demonstrable social or environmental impact and have a working understanding of English, as all programme activities are conducted in English. Participants must also be available to engage fully in the programme between 30 October and 7 November 2026, in addition to required pre- and post-programme activities. The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs promotes an inclusive and diverse environment and encourages applications from all eligible young entrepreneurs, regardless of background, identity, or location, including both rural and urban communities.
For more information, visit One Young World.
