At Virgin Unite, we believe that today’s most pressing global challenges, from climate breakdown to entrenched inequality, demand bold, innovative leadership – leadership that doesn’t just solve symptoms, but that transforms systems. To help develop this style of leadership Virgin Unite is partnering with One Young World on The NewNow scholarship programme.

The NewNow was originally launched in 2018 to give changemakers the networks, resources and public platforms they needed to tackle systems-level global challenges. Now a scholarship sitting within One Young World, The NewNow remains dedicated to amplifying the voices of emerging leaders as they redefine how change is made.

“The NewNow Network gave me a powerful global platform to amplify my voice and spotlight the education crisis facing underprivileged children and youth in Nigeria. Through the NewNow, my work reached new audiences across 190 countries, inspired fellow changemakers to take action, and was celebrated on a global stage alongside other bold leaders driving change. Beyond visibility, I gained a trusted network of allies who consistently share resources, insights, and opportunities, helping me strengthen and scale my work of empowering underserved African children and young people with quality education and digital skills to break the cycle of poverty,” said May Asagba, founder of CAIN Educational Foundation and 2025 NewNow scholar.

One Young World Summit - Munich 2025

One Young World Summit – Munich 2025

The 2026 scholarship programme has been designed to empower even more visionaries and invites exceptional leaders from the Global South to join, accelerate their impact, and receive:

  • A fully funded place at the One Young World Summit 2026, where they’ll engage with world leaders, innovators, Nobel laureates, CEOs and fellow changemakers.

  • Lifelong membership in the One Young World Ambassador Community, a powerful network supporting leaders at every stage of their journey.

  • Access to exclusive development tools, including the Global Leadership Programme and Action Accelerator.

  • Media exposure and speaking opportunities through One Young World and Virgin Unite channels, elevating voices and stories with global reach.

  • Ongoing capacity-building workshops and collaboration opportunities with fellow NewNow leaders around the world.

This opportunity is open for trailblazers between 18 and 30 years old who live in the Global South and are already driving meaningful change. Applicants should demonstrate a clear understanding of systems-thinking: an approach that recognises how social, environmental and economic forces interact and influence outcomes.

NewNow scholars at the One Young World Summit - Munich 2025,

NewNow scholars at the One Young World Summit – Munich 2025,

“Systems thinking has helped me immensely in my journey, allowing me to move beyond isolated solutions and instead design initiatives that connect different perspectives, address root causes of global challenges, and generate transformational impact,” said Renata Koch Alvarenga, Founder of EmpoderaClima and 2025 NewNow scholar.

Whether transforming education, health, climate resilience, economic equity or community wellbeing, if the work challenges the status quo and creates sustainable impact – we’d love to hear from you. Applications for the scholarship are open now, with the entry deadline of 16 February 2026. Join us in championing a new generation of systems-thinkers, leaders who will shape a fairer, more sustainable future for all.

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