ChangemakerXchange, supported by the Drosos Foundation
Changemakers for Youth Programme 2027 — Travel Support, Leadership Development and Collaboration Funding
The Changemakers for Youth Programme 2027 supports young social entrepreneurs who lead active initiatives that empower young people and address social, educational, economic or environmental challenges. Selected participants receive tailored capacity building, access to an international network, a five-day in-person summit and opportunities for collaborative funding, with travel stipends available for eligible participants who need financial assistance.
This page is an informational summary. Requirements and dates can change. Confirm every detail on the official provider website before taking action.
About the programme
The Changemakers for Youth Programme is an international initiative that connects young social entrepreneurs who are working to improve their communities and strengthen the skills, confidence and agency of young people.
The programme supports existing ventures that address important social, educational, economic or environmental challenges. Rather than focusing on one particular sector, it brings together leaders from different backgrounds who share a commitment to helping young people participate in and shape positive change.
Over three years, the initiative aims to support 80 changemakers. Participants join a community of peers, take part in customised capacity-building activities and have opportunities to develop collaborative projects across borders.
The programme includes online activities and a five-day in-person summit focused on peer learning, wellbeing, resilience and collaboration.
Who can apply
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Age: 18–35 years old.
- Eligible country: Currently live, work and/or create impact in Egypt, Germany, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Switzerland or Tunisia, subject to the programme’s specific country requirements.
- Leadership role: Hold a leadership or decision-making position in an active social or environmental venture or organisation.
- Youth focus: Work on an initiative that strengthens young people's skills, agency, leadership or participation.
- Demonstrated impact: Show evidence of impact or a credible plan and potential for creating positive change.
- English: Have sufficient English to participate fully in the programme.
- Availability: Be able to commit to the online activities and the complete five-day in-person summit.
Applicants do not need to be the original founders of their organisations, but employees or volunteers without a leadership or decision-making role are not eligible.
The programme welcomes initiatives from different sectors, provided young people are central to their work. Applicants working in Germany may be based anywhere in the country, but their projects must create tangible impact in Eastern Germany.
What you get
Successful participants can benefit from:
- Five-day in-person summit: Participate in an immersive gathering focused on learning, wellbeing, resilience and collaboration.
- Customised capacity building: Access online learning and expert-led support tailored to participants’ needs.
- International networking: Connect with social entrepreneurs, mentors, experts, supporters and potential collaborators.
- Collaboration funding: Opportunities to access seed funding for cross-border projects that promote youth agency and engagement.
- Global community membership: Join the wider ChangemakerXchange community and continue connecting with social innovators.
- Travel assistance: Apply for a stipend that may fully or partially cover eligible travel costs if financial barriers would prevent participation.
Travel stipends are not automatic or guaranteed. Support is assessed individually and depends on available funding.
The programme covers accommodation, catering, local transport during the summit, venue costs and programme activities. Transport to the departure point and expenses outside the official summit dates remain the participant’s responsibility.
How to apply
- Visit the official Changemakers for Youth Programme page.
- Read the eligibility criteria and confirm that your country, age, leadership role and initiative meet the requirements.
- Use the official application link on the programme page to complete the application.
- Explain the social or environmental challenge your venture addresses and how it empowers young people.
- Describe your leadership role, the progress your initiative has made and the impact it has achieved or aims to achieve.
- Explain why you want to join the programme and how you would benefit from collaboration with changemakers in other countries.
- Indicate if travel expenses would prevent you from attending the summit and you need travel support.
- Review your responses and submit your application before the deadline.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an online interview. Selection considers the initiative’s impact or potential, innovation, sustainability, programme fit and the applicant’s motivation and readiness to participate.
Documents required
The official programme page provides application questions and selection criteria but does not publish a definitive standalone document checklist. Applicants should prepare to explain:
- Their social or environmental initiative and the problem it addresses.
- Their leadership or decision-making responsibilities.
- The initiative’s progress, results and potential for wider impact.
- How the work strengthens young people’s skills, agency or participation.
- Their motivation for joining the programme and collaborating internationally.
- Any travel funding support they may need.
Check the online application form for any additional questions or supporting materials required.
Important dates
- Applications opened: October 13, 2026.
- Application deadline: November 9, 2026.
- Online interviews: November 20–December 19, 2026.
- Final decisions announced: January 13, 2027.
- Online kickoff: First week of February 2027.
- In-person summit: Mid-March 2027; exact dates and location to be confirmed.
Application link: https://changemakerxchange.org/changemakers-for-youth/
Official source
Use the official provider's website for current eligibility rules, application instructions, fees and deadlines.
Visit official websiteSource verification date: October 25, 2026. This is not a guarantee that the opportunity remains open.
