Changemakers for Youth Programme 2027

Applications are open for the Changemakers for Youth Programme 2027, an initiative supporting young social entrepreneurs who are creating positive change in their communities while empowering young people. Organised by ChangemakerXchange and supported by the Drosos Foundation, the programme connects youth focused changemakers across selected countries in Europe and the Middle East and North Africa.

The programme is designed for young leaders who are already working on social or environmental initiatives and want to strengthen their impact, develop new skills and build partnerships beyond their immediate communities. Rather than focusing on one specific sector, it welcomes initiatives addressing social, educational, economic and environmental challenges, provided young people are central to the work.

Over three years, Changemakers for Youth aims to support 80 young changemakers and social entrepreneurs. Participants benefit from tailored online capacity building, an immersive five day in person summit, opportunities for collaboration funding and access to an international network of social innovators.

About the Opportunity

Changemakers for Youth is part of ChangemakerXchange, an international organisation that connects social innovators and supports them in developing collaborative solutions to pressing challenges. The programme recognises that young people can play a significant role in addressing community problems when they have the skills, resources, confidence and opportunities to lead change.

The initiative is open to changemakers whose existing ventures strengthen young people's agency, develop their leadership and practical skills, or encourage them to participate actively in improving their communities. Projects may work in different sectors, including education, environmental sustainability, social inclusion, economic development and civic engagement.

Applicants do not necessarily have to be the original founders of their organisations. However, they must hold a leadership or decision making role and demonstrate a meaningful contribution to an active initiative.

The programme particularly values initiatives that have already been tested and can demonstrate tangible results. Early stage projects may also be considered if they show strong potential and, ideally, have completed a pilot. Applicants should be ready to share their experience, learn from peers and explore ways to expand or replicate their impact.

Opportunity Benefits

Selected participants can access the following benefits:

• Tailored capacity building: Online learning activities adapted to participants' needs and led by experienced experts and practitioners.

• Five day in person summit: A dedicated gathering for peer learning, relationship building, wellbeing and collaborative problem solving.

• Collaboration funding: Potential seed funding for selected cross border projects developed by participants. Funding is not guaranteed to every participant.

• International networking: Opportunities to connect with social entrepreneurs, mentors, experts, supporters and potential collaborators.

• Leadership development: Support to strengthen the skills, confidence and capacity needed to grow youth focused initiatives.

• Cross border partnerships: Opportunities to exchange ideas and develop joint solutions with changemakers in other eligible countries.

• Lifelong community membership: Continued access to the ChangemakerXchange community, learning activities, resources and networking opportunities.

• Additional support connections: Potential access to relevant partner opportunities, coaching, grants and other forms of professional support through the wider community.

Programme Areas

Changemakers for Youth does not restrict applications to a single theme or industry. Initiatives should address a meaningful challenge while strengthening young people's agency, skills or leadership.

Relevant areas include:

• Education and youth development

• Social inclusion and community wellbeing

• Economic opportunity and youth empowerment

• Environmental protection and sustainability

• Civic engagement and youth participation

• Leadership development and community mobilisation

• Innovative approaches to social challenges

• Projects that support disadvantaged young people

Applicants should explain how their initiative responds to a clearly identified need and how young people participate in, benefit from or lead the work.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the Changemakers for Youth Programme 2027, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be between 18 and 35 years old.

• Currently live and/or create impact in Egypt, Germany, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Switzerland or Tunisia.

• If based in Germany, ensure the initiative creates tangible impact in Eastern Germany.

• Hold a leadership or decision making role in an active social or environmental venture or organisation addressing youth development.

• Demonstrate that the initiative empowers young people, strengthens their skills or agency, is youth led, or identifies young people as its key target group.

• Have sufficient English language skills to participate in the online programme, interviews and in person summit.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the challenge the initiative addresses and its potential for meaningful community impact.

• Show readiness to collaborate, learn from other changemakers and participate fully in programme activities.

• Submit a complete application before the deadline.

The programme welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds and particularly encourages people working in marginalised contexts or using approaches that recognise how different forms of disadvantage can overlap.

Selection Criteria

Applications are reviewed against the eligibility requirements and assessed by members of the ChangemakerXchange team and community.

The selection process considers:

• The relevance and importance of the problem being addressed.

• The current stage of the initiative and evidence of progress.

• Demonstrated impact or credible potential for future impact.

• Innovation and the suitability of the proposed approach.

• The initiative's potential to grow, be replicated or contribute to wider change.

• Alignment with the programme's youth centred and collaborative principles.

• The applicant's motivation, values, entrepreneurial mindset and readiness to participate.

• The diversity and overall composition of the selected cohort.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an informal online interview lasting approximately 30 to 45 minutes. The organisers expect to inform applicants about the outcome of the selection process around mid January 2027.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should follow these steps:

1. Review the official programme information. Confirm that you meet the age, location, leadership and youth impact requirements.
2. Assess your initiative. Be prepared to explain the challenge you address, your approach, the progress made so far and the role young people play in your work.
3. Complete the online application form. Provide accurate information about yourself, your organisation or venture, its impact and your motivation for joining the programme.
4. Explain your programme fit. Describe how the initiative strengthens youth agency and skills, and identify opportunities for learning, growth or collaboration across borders.
5. Submit your application before the deadline. Applications must be received by November 9, 2026.
6. Prepare for a possible interview. Shortlisted applicants should be ready to discuss their initiative, its impact, their leadership role and their availability for programme activities.
7. Plan for full participation. Successful applicants are expected to attend all summit sessions and take part in the programme activities. Applicants who need financial assistance for travel should indicate this in the application and confirmation form.