Deadline:
June 15, 2026
Program Starts: November 03, 2026
Program Ends: November 06, 2026
Location(s)
South Africa
Cape Town
Overview
Following the success of the Ilia Calderón Scholarship in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, One Young World has once again partnered with the Jang Calderón Family Foundation to support young leaders, between the ages of 18 and 30, who are leading innovative and impactful initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Ilia Calderón Scholarship will select and fund the participation of two young leaders who will be able to travel to attend the One Young World 2026 Summit in Cape Town, South Africa.
Details
What is One Young World?
One Young World was founded in 2009 by David Jones and Kate Robertson. We are a UK-based charity that gathers together the brightest young leaders from around the world, empowering them to make lasting connections to create positive change.
We stage an annual Summit where the most valuable young talent from global and national companies, NGOs, universities and other forward-thinking organisations are joined by world leaders, acting as the One Young World Counsellors.
Delegates participate in four transformative days of speeches, panels, networking and workshops. All delegates have the opportunity to apply to give keynote speeches, sharing a platform with world leaders with the world’s media in attendance. As well as listening to keynote speakers, delegates have the opportunity to challenge world leaders, interact and be mentored by influencers. Delegates make lasting connections throughout the Summit, celebrating their participation at social events and the unforgettable Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
After each Summit, the delegates, who are then known as One Young World Ambassadors, work on their own initiatives or lend the power of the One Young World network to those initiatives already in existence. Of those in employment, many returns to their companies and set about creating change from within, energising their corporate environment.
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must be:
- Aged 18 - 30* at the time of the One Young World Summit 2026 which takes place in Cape Town, South Africa from 3 - 6 November 2026.
- Eligible Nationalities: Colombia, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Panama, Honduras, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Guyana, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Brazil.
Candidates will also be evaluated on the following:
- Demonstrate commitment and potential benefits for the communities or territories to which they belong.
- Relevance of the initiatives to which he/she leads or he/she participates.
- Demonstrated capacity for leadership.
- Address key local and/or global issues in their community or territories.
- Have a track record of generating impactful and innovative ideas.
- Motivation to participate in One Young World.
*Most delegates are between the ages of 18 and 30. The One Young World team will consider applications from those who are older than 30, pending demonstration of appropriate personal impact, initiative, and willingness to engage. We are not able to accept applications from those who will be aged under 18 at the time of the Summit.
Dates
Deadline: June 15, 2026
Program starts:
November 03, 2026
Program ends:
November 06, 2026
Program Starts: November 03, 2026
Program Ends: November 06, 2026
Cost/funding for participants
Scholars will receive
- Access to the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town.
- Hotel accommodation in a private room in Cape Town, checking in on 2 November 2026 and checking out on 7 November 2026.
- The cost of travel to and from Cape Town (economy class).
- Domestic travel costs to the airport to take the international flight (economy class).
- Visa costs, if applicable.
- Transport between the Summit accommodation and the Summit venue.
- Catering which includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner (provided by the hotel and during the Summit).
- Translation services from English to Spanish in the plenary sessions, welcome and closing event.
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
