The Catalyst Academy is a regional youth Social Innovation Learning Program taking place in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Cameroon, and South Africa. Led by entrepreneurs and academics from Catalyst Now, the program is designed to equip young people with the skills, networks, and opportunities they need to thrive as social innovators.
Application Deadline:
- 30 October 2026
Tell Me About The Program:
The Catalyst Academy Youth Social Innovation Learning Programme 2026 is a premier regional initiative led by entrepreneurs and academics from Catalyst Now. It is designed to equip young African changemakers and aspiring social entrepreneurs with practical skills, expert mentorship, cross-border collaborative networks, and technology-enabled learning resources. The program focuses on active, project-based learning, guiding participants to co-create, design, and test real-world pilot solutions that tackle pressing community challenges across Africa.
Which Fields are Eligible:
- Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship
- Community Development & Grassroots Leadership
- Civic Engagement & Sustainable Social Impact
Type:
Regional Social Innovation Fellowship & Capacity-Building Program
Who can Apply:
- Age Limit: Must be between 18 and 35 years old.
- Citizenship & Residency: Must be a citizen and/or resident of Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Cameroon, or South Africa.
- Interests & Background: Aspiring social entrepreneurs, community leaders, and individuals passionate about driving social change. The program actively encourages applications from young women facing entrepreneurial barriers, persons with disabilities, refugees, and displaced young people.
How are Applicants Selected:
Applications are evaluated based on the authenticity of responses, passion for community development, personal motivation, and clarity of vision for addressing local challenges. Note: Organizers explicitly request authentic, personal answers and discourage generic or AI-generated application text.
Which Countries Are Eligible:
- Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Cameroon, and South Africa.
Where will the Program be Taken:
Virtual / Online (Regional initiative across participating African countries with cross-border collaborative digital exchanges).
How Many Fellows:
Competitive cohort selected across the five eligible African nations.
What is the Benefit of the Program:
- Expert Mentorship: Direct connection to and guidance from experienced social innovators and academic leaders across Africa and beyond.
- Practical Project Development: Hands-on experience building, designing, and testing a real-world pilot solution to address a community problem.
- Peer Learning & Collaboration: Weekly peer learning circles and cross-border digital exchanges with young changemakers from other African countries.
- Digital Resources: Full access to technology-enabled learning platforms and resources.
- Global Network Access: Lifetime entry into the Catalyst Now network and alumni community.
How Long Will it Last:
Requires a time commitment of approximately 6 to 8 hours per week for learning sessions and collaborative project activities.
How to Apply:
- Visit the official Catalyst Academy application portal.
- Carefully review the application questions and ensure you set aside enough time to complete the multi-step form.
- Prepare authentic, personal responses detailing your background, community challenges you wish to solve, and your social innovation goals.
- Submit your completed application online before the final deadline on 30 October 2026.
