British American Tobacco | N10 Million Grant for NYSC Corp Member

The Farmers for the Future (F4F) Grant is an Agricultural Entrepreneurship grant designed to support young people with viable Agri-Business with equity-free capital and other associated support they may require to scale their businesses.

The project is an initiative developed and sponsored by the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) in partnership with NYSC and implemented by FATE Foundation. It is targeted at currently serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members – as part of BATNF’s drive to encourage and support the youth in sustainable agriculture.

Curriculum Overview

The program is a virtual program focused on capacity building on essential knowledge, strategies, skills, and tools to build sustainable businesses within the Agribusiness value chain. These sessions will be facilitated by various industry leaders and professionals across the Agribusiness and entrepreneurship ecosystem using a pedagogy approach to build networks amongst the entrepreneurs and encourage group/team work for better learning. The robust learning structure is a combination of virtual interactive class sessions, workshops, case studies, plenary sessions, and group activities.

The Farmers for the Future curriculum has been designed to provide insight and relevant knowledge to aspiring and budding entrepreneurs within the Agribusiness value chain to see diverse market potentials and understand how to create a structured business model to strategically grow their business.

The Curriculum is intensive and includes:

• Entrepreneurship Mindset
• Design thinking/innovation/problem-solving
• Developing Business Plan
• Business Model Canvass
• Product Development Strategy
• Marketing/Digital Marketing Strategy
• Managing Business Operations
• Financial Literacy
• Business pitch skills

Aim and Benefits of BATNF Farmers for the Future Grant

Through the support of the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation, the program is FREE to all entrepreneurs who successfully scale through the two application stages. This scholarship support from the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation covers all direct course fees including course materials, data support, and post-program support.

• The top 6 finalists will win an equity-free grant of NGN 10 million (?3m for the first Prize, ? 2m for 2nd Prize, and ? 1m for 3rd Prize)
• Linkage to financial institutions and investors for follow-on financing and/or credit facilities
• Winners will get technical support to establish their agribusiness
• Participation in an intensive “Think-through-your-business” boot camp
• Mentorship under seasoned entrepreneurs and Agric Experts
• Membership of the F4F alumni network
• Participation in other partner-drive training programs
• Support with business registration & other legal & regulatory requirements

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to FARMERS FOR THE FUTURE GRANT to apply

by comms.do

COMMONWEALTH SHORT STORY PRIZE 2024 (AVAILABLE GRANTS UP TO 5,000 EURO)

The 2024 Prize will open for submissions from 1 September 2023 to 1 November 2023.

The prize is free to enter and open to any citizen of a Commonwealth country aged 18 and over. It is awarded for the best piece of unpublished short fiction (2,000–5,000 words).

An international judging panel of writers will select a shortlist of around twenty stories, from which five regional winners are chosen. One of the regional winners is then selected as the overall winner, who receives £5,000. All winning and shortlisted stories will be published online.

Submissions should be made via the online entry form listed on this page. The eligibility and entry guidelines can be found.

An international judging panel of writers will select a shortlist of around twenty stories, from which five regional winners are chosen. One of the regional winners is then selected as the overall winner, who receives £5,000. All winning and shortlisted stories will be published online.

Scroll down to read answers to frequently asked questions about the prize, including who can enter, how stories are judged and what languages we accept.

Frequently asked questions

• Who is eligible to submit?

  The prize is open to all Commonwealth citizens aged 18 and over –  please see the full list of Commonwealth countries.

• What do the winning writers receive?

  The regional winners receive £2,500 and the overall winner receives a total of £5,000. The winning stories are published online by Granta and in a special print collection by Paper + Ink. The shortlisted stories are published in adda, the online literary magazine of the Commonwealth Foundation.

• What is the word limit?

  The story must be between 2,000 and 5,000 words.

• Is there any required theme or genre?

  The prize is only open to short fiction, but it can be in any fiction genre–science fiction, speculative fiction, historical fiction, crime, romance, literary fiction–and you may write about any subject you wish.

• In what languages do you accept entries?

  Submissions are accepted in Bengali, Chinese, Creole, English, French, Greek, Malay, Maltese, Portuguese, Samoan, Swahili, Tamil, and Turkish. Stories that have been translated into English from any language are also accepted and the translator of any winning story receives additional prize money.

• Can the story be published?

  Your submission must be unpublished in any print or online publication, with the exception of personal websites.

• How is the prize judged?

  Entries are initially assessed by a team of readers and a longlist of 200 entries is put before the international judging panel, comprising a chair and five judges, one from each of the Commonwealth regions – Africa, Asia, Canada and Europe, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. All judges read entries from all regions.

  Entries in other languages are assessed by relevant language readers and the best submissions are selected for translation into English to be considered for inclusion on the longlist.

  The judging panel select a shortlist of around twenty stories, from which five regional winners are chosen, one of which is chosen as the overall winner.

   

• The 2024 Prize will open for submissions from 1 September 2023 to 1 November 2023.

APPLY HERE

by comms.do

ISTANBUL YOUTH SUMMIT 2024 (FULLY-FUNDED)

Attention all aspiring leaders and change-makers! We are thrilled to announce that the registration for the Istanbul Youth Summit 2024 is officially OPEN!

Istanbul Youth Summit 2024 is the seventh international summit organized by Youth Break the Boundaries (YBB) Foundation in Istanbul. This summit will encourage future leaders who break the boundaries of their abilities to discuss and take action in Innovation and Collaboration: Unlocking Youth-driven Solutions for Sustainability. With these themes, IYS 2024 also encourages young people from all backgrounds and sectors to collaborate together and utilize their leadership capabilities in helping and realizing to make sustainable development goals become achievable.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are sustainable development efforts that become a reference in the framework of development and negotiations of countries in the world as a substitute for the global development of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which ended in 2015. The SDGs have several goals, including Education (SDG 4: Quality Education), Health (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being), Economy (SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth), and Environment (SDG 13: Climate Action)

The event will take place from March 4 to March 7, 2024, in Istanbul, Turkey.

Event Dates     : March 4 to March 7, 2024

Location          : Istanbul, Turkey

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to be part of a dynamic gathering of youth from around the world, where you can engage in inspiring discussions, workshops, and activities that will shape your leadership journey.

Program Details:

• Project Mentoring (2-3 Months before the event)
• Gala Dinner and Netwoking Night
• International Symposium on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Social Project Presentation
• Awarding and Cultural Night

The Istanbul Youth Summit 2024 is preparing to welcome youth leaders from across the globe. Here’s what you need to know to become part of this transformative experience:

Eligibility Criteria:

• Aged 15 – 35 years old.
• Open to all Nations.
• Open to all academic backgrounds.
• Not affiliated with any extremist organizations.
• Never have a criminal record or immigration issues.

Required Documents:

• National ID: A scanned copy of your national (any nationality) identification document.
• Essay on Theme: Write an essay related to one of the provided themes aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

Health (SDG 3)

Education (SDG 4)

Economy (SDG 8)

Environment (SDG 13)

Essay Questions:

• Choose one of these themes and tell us about a significant problem related to it in your society.
• Share your idea for solving this problem in your community.
• How do you envision the positive impact of implementing your proposed solution on your society?

Please Note:

Language proficiency and health certificate are not required

For those interested in the fully funded program, the registration deadline is from August 7 to September 10, 2023. Interviews for fully funded participants will be announced from November 5 to 10, 2023, followed by the interview section for candidates from November 11 to 15, 2023. The final announcement for fully funded delegates will be made from December 11 to 15, 2023.

Registration Timeline:

• Registration : August 7 – September 10, 2023
• Selection Process : September 15 – 30, 2023
• Interview Announcement : November 5 – 10, 2023
• Interview Section : November 11 – 15, 2023
• Announcement for Fully Funded Delegates : December 11 – 15, 2023
• Istanbul Youth Summit Program : March 4 – 7, 2023

Deadline of registration: September 10, 2023

Register NOW at: CLICK HERE

Find registration guidelines here: CLICK HERE

Get ready to share your insights and ideas for a better future!

To register, follow these steps:

1. Share the official poster of Istanbul Youth Summit 2024 using this link: (bit.ly/IYSPOSTER).
2. Use the provided twibbon (twb.nz/iys24) to enhance your profile picture on your chosen social media platform.
3. Prepare an essay according to the registration guidelines available on istanbulyouthsummit.com. The essay should be related to one of the four sub-themes: a. Good Health and Well-being

1. Quality Education
2. Decent Work and Economic Growth
3. Climate Action

1. Follow @youthbreaktheboundaries and @istanbulyouthsummit on Instagram and TikTok.
2. Join the Youth Break Boundaries Telegram channel and subscribe to the YBB Foundation YouTube channel.
3. Post your best photo with a creative caption using the IYS 2024 twibbon, related to the event’s theme, on Facebook or Instagram. Tag @istanbulyouthsummit and mention 5 of your friends in the post.
4. Share information about IYS 2024 (the poster) with at least 3 social media groups you belong to on WhatsApp or Facebook.
5. Screenshot all steps, as you will need to upload them during the registration process.
6. Register an account on istanbulyouthsummit.com and complete all necessary requirements as detailed in the guidelines.

Wishing you the best of luck!

by comms.do

Mandela Washington Fellowship

ABOUT US

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the U.S. Government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). YALI was created in 2010 and celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2020. Established in 2014, the Mandela Washington Fellowship has brought nearly 6,500 young leaders from every country in Sub-Saharan Africa to the United States for academic and leadership training. The Fellows, between the ages of 25 and 35, are accomplished innovators and leaders in their communities and countries.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship will bring up to 700 young leaders to the United States in the summer of 2024 for a comprehensive executive-style program that is designed to build skills and empower Fellows to lead in their respective sectors and communities.

Application and Selection Timeline

• August 15, 2023  |  Application opens
• September 12, 2023  |  Application deadline
• November 2023 – January 2024  |  Semi-finalists interviewed by local U.S. embassies and consulates
• March 2024 |  Applicants notified of their status
• May 2024  |  Visa processing and Pre-Departure Orientations for Finalists
• June 2024  |  Fellowship begins in the United States

The Fellowship is an unparalleled opportunity to…

• Participate in a six-week Leadership Institute at a U.S. college or university to share your experiences with and learn from U.S. citizens and other Fellows.
• Explore industries beyond your daily work and expand your expertise.
• Participate in a Summit with young African leaders.
• Meet with U.S. Government, civic, and business leaders.
• Strengthen your work through new connections, skills, and ideas.
• Join a continental and global Alumni Network to help you seek innovative solutions to common challenge

Who is eligible to apply?

Applicants will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.  The Mandela Washington Fellowship is open to young African leaders who meet the following criteria:

• Are between the ages of 25 and 35 on or before the application deadline, although exceptional applicants ages 21-24 will be considered;
• Are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States;
• Are eligible to receive a United States J-1 visa;
• Are not employees or immediate family members of employees of the U.S. Government (including a U.S. embassy or consulate, USAID, or other U.S. Government entity);
• Are proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English (additional guidance coming for applicants who are deaf);
• Are citizens of one of the following countries: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, or Zimbabwe;
• Are residents of one of the above countries; and
• Are not Alumni of the Mandela Washington Fellowship.

What are the criteria for selection?

The following criteria will be used to evaluate applications (not in order of importance):

• A proven record of leadership and accomplishment in business or entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and/or public/government service;
• ​A demonstrated commitment to public or community service, volunteerism, or mentorship;
• ​The ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups and to respect the opinions of others;
• ​Strong social and communication skills;
• ​An energetic, positive, and flexible attitude;
• ​A demonstrated knowledge of, interest in, and professional experience in the preferred sector/Fellowship track and concrete goals for applying lessons knowledge and skills gained from the Fellowship to current and/or future work; and
• ​A commitment to return to Sub-Saharan Africa and contribute skills and talents to build and serve their communities.

Got Questions? CLICK HERE

FOR THE INFORMATIONS BELOW; CLICK HERE

• Instructions for the 2024 Fellowship Application
• Information for Prospective Fellows with Disabilities
• Information for Prospective Fellows Who Are or May Become Pregnant

APPLY NOW

by comms.do

DAAD FULLY-FUNDED SCHOLARSHIP: STUDY IN GERMANY 2023-2024

The DAAD Scholarship Program 2023–2024 is a splendid opportunity for talented, self-motivated, and skilled students to excel in their careers and achieve their goals while studying and getting trained at world-class educational institutes in Germany. This is a fully-funded international scholarship program that allows students to take courses related to sustainable development goals that can provide them with the necessary skills to make a positive contribution to their societies. Germany is one of the most diverse countries in the world, owing to its ability to integrate cultures, ethnicities, and nationalities. The DAAD scholarship is the best option for students who are interested in learning about different cultures, and who are open-minded and welcoming to people from different nationalities and ethnicities.

Scholarship recipients will receive academic expenses, a monthly stipend, health insurance, travel allowance, accommodation allowance, and monthly rent subsidy. The duration of the Master’s Degree Program will be 12-24 months (Studies vary depending on the program) and 36 months for the PhD Degree Program for international and German students.

DAAD Scholarships 2023-24 in Germany Short Summary:

• Scholarship Host Country: Germany
• Sponsored By: Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation & Development.
• Financial Coverage: Fully Funded
• Course Level: Master’s, PhD
• Eligibility: International students.
• Deadline: Varies

List of Available Fields of Study:

• Economic Sciences/Business Administration/Political Economics
• Development Cooperation
• Engineering and Related Sciences
• Mathematics
• Regional and Urban Planning
• Agricultural and Forest Sciences
• Natural and Environmental Sciences
• Medicine/Public Health
• Social Sciences, Education and Law
• Media Studies

Financial Benefits of DAAD Scholarship 2023-24:

• DAAD Scholarship Monthly Stipend
  • 850 euros will be provided for a master studies
  • 1,200 euros will be provided for doctoral studies
•  Health, accident, and personal liability insurance payments will be provided.
• Travel Allowance.
• Free tuition fee

Eligibility Criteria for DAAD Scholarship 2023-24 in Germany:

• Applicants From all Developing Countries are encouraged to apply. (Check Eligible Countries List).
• A candidate must have a Bachelor’s degree (usually a four-year course) in a related subject.
• A candidate’s academic degree should normally not be more than six years old.
• A candidate should have at least two years of professional experience.

Deadline

The application deadline to apply for the DAAD Scholarship 2023-24 in Germany vary from one university to another.

What are the steps to Apply For DAAD Scholarship 2023-24 in Germany?

• DAAD scholarship candidates must fill out the online application form on the official website.
• Applicants must attach all required documents with their application.
• You must first select your chosen scholarship program in the scholarship database and then click on “Submit application”
• You don’t need to apply directly to the university.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENT, CLICK HERE

by comms.do

CHEVENING SCHOLARSHIP COMING SOON

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Of all the UK scholarships on offer to international students, Chevening is one of the most prestigious and competitive.

As well as offering fully-funded master’s degrees, it is a unique opportunity for the next generation of leaders, influencers, and decision-makers to develop a relationship with the UK that will grow throughout their careers.

Funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and partner organizations, Chevening scholarships are awarded to individuals with demonstrable leadership potential and strong academic backgrounds. The scholarship offers full financial support to study for any eligible master’s degree at any UK university while gaining access to a wide range of exclusive academic, professional, and cultural experiences.

How does it work?

All applicants undergo a rigorous selection process. The most suitable applicants are then personally selected by British embassies and high commissions around the world.

As a fully-funded scholarship, you’ll receive tuition or programme fees, living expenses, and return flights to the UK. You will also gain access to exclusive networking events, workshops, talks, internships, and volunteering opportunities, giving you a diverse introduction to life in a global role.

Who is it for?

Chevening Scholars have ambition, leadership potential, a strong academic background, and an excellent record of rising to prominent positions in their countries across a range of fields.

Designed to support Britain’s public diplomacy overseas, Chevening Scholarships provide the skills and experiences required to achieve at the highest levels whilst supporting strong relationships with the UK in the future.

If you’re an ambitious leader in the making and are looking for a postgraduate experience that will give you the very best preparation for success, then a Chevening Scholarship could be for you.

How to apply

You can apply for a Chevening Scholarship by selecting your country from the dropdown list at www.chevening.org/apply. After submitting your application, it will be assessed against Chevening’s eligibility criteria. Those applications that are deemed eligible will then be assessed by independent reading committees, who will create a longlist of applicants.

If you are longlisted, you will be invited to submit references and attend an interview with the British embassy or high commission in the country to which you applied. These face-to-face interviews are conducted in English by a panel, who will ask you questions about your personal and professional goals, and how a Chevening Scholarship would help you achieve them. Your choice of courses will also be taken into consideration. The panel will then score your interview against the global Chevening criteria.

Application will commence soon. www.chevening.org to keep track of when the portal is open.

CLICK HERE

by comms.do

UGWUMBA CENTRE FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

According to the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Nigeria’s unemployment rate will hit 37% in 2023. In another report, it is estimated that in Nigeria, more than 55.4% of youths between the ages of 18 and 35 are currently unemployed.

These and more were the reasons why the Ugwumba Center for Leadership Development in Africa was founded in 2018 by Ugwumba Uche Nwosu with a mission to raise a new generation of leaders and entrepreneurs for Africa.

To contribute towards the reduction of the unemployment crisis ravaging the youth population in Nigeria, the Center launched the Ugwumba Enterprise Challenge, an idea pitching and grant competition for young entrepreneurs and innovators who have ideas that can be transformed into business ventures or social enterprises.

Today, most beneficiaries of the startup challenge have become employers of labor, thereby helping to reduce the unemployment crisis as well as contribute to Nigeria’s overall GDP.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is to officially announce the “Call for Applications” for this year’s edition of the Ugwumba Enterprise Challenge, which is the 6th in the series.

BENEFITS

• To raise a new generation of leaders and entrepreneurs for Africa
• Reduction of the unemployment crisis ravaging the youth population
• Support start-ups and SMEs

ELIGIBILITY

• Open to everyone between the age of 18 years of age to 40 years of age
• Must be a nigerian

STAR PRIZES

• 1ST PRIZE: 1.5 MILLION NAIRA
• 2ND PRIZE: 1 MILLION NAIRA
• 3RD PRIZE: 700 THOUSAND NAIRA
• 4H PRIZE: 500 THOUSAND NAIRA

DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 9TH

APPLY HERE

by comms.do

AFRICA FELLOWSHIP FOR YOUNG ENERGY LEADERS

by comms.do

ERASMUS+Mundus Scholarship 2023 (Fully-Funded)

The fully-funded Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2023 are now open for applications in European Universities for all international students. Consider submission of your applications to win a chance to study for free at a European destination school this year.

One of the most prestigious scholarships of Europe, the Erasmus+ Mundus Scholarships 2023 is now open for the academic year 2023. The Erasmus+ scholarship provides the recipients the opportunity to study for a Master’s or Doctorate in any of the European universities and countries. The recipients will be able to study in 3 to 4 different countries in Europe. Moreover, they will also get a chance to do an internship during their two years of study. The number of scholarships available is 2,500.

Students from all over the world can apply to the European Joint Master’s Degree program. It is sponsored by the European Commission. Applications have started to pour in for the Master’s programs starting in fall 2023.

Erasmus Scholarship is among the most generous scholarships in the world. The number of accepted students in this scholarship program for the 2022 intake was 2,450. The Joint master’s program is available for 1 and 2 years (60 – 120 ECTS). The recipients will be able to get funding from 12 to 24 months. All the educational and living expenses are covered under Erasmus+.

The last date to apply for this Erasmus scholarship varies with every program. Applicants should check out their respective university’s official website to find out more about it.

Funding Value of the Erasmus+ Mundus Scholarships 2023:

The benefits of this Erasmus Mundus scholarships includes:

• A monthly stipend of 1100 – 1500 Euros
• Tuition fee waiver
• Traveling allowance
• Airfare for international travel
• Travel allowance for when the recipient moves to another country during the course of his/her studies.
• A Work visa will be granted to all the recipients once they finish their master’s or Ph.D. This will enable them to live in their country of choice even after their studies.

Erasmus+ scholarship is like Fulbright scholarship reserved for studying in Europe. The benefits of both of them are pretty similar. Students aspiring to study in Europe should definitely apply to this scholarship.

Details of the Erasmus Mundus Scholarships 2023:

Within this scholarship program, the recipients will be able to study in three of the European Universities and countries. In the end, they will get a dual degree awarded by two of the European institutions. The recipients can study in Europe, Australia, or the USA for a maximum of two years. That means they will spend each semester in a different country.

The Requirements to Apply for Erasmus Mundus Scholarship:

Potential applicants should apply for IELTS or TOEFL in September or October (in case the test centers are closed because of the pandemic situation, the applicants can consider emailing their respective coordinators and asking them to exempt them from submitting the test scores).

There are some programs that are accepting other language tests like that of Duolingo English Test Proficiency. It is an alternative test for IELTS and it lets the students give a test from home.

• All the applicants should score at least 6.5 in IELTS. No GRE or GMAT is required.
• There is no need to contact the professors for intake. Just go to your relevant program’s official website and follow the instruction given there.
• No work experience is required either.
• All the applicants need to have at least 16 years of education completed.
• There is no age restriction for applying.
• There are a number of students who have gotten the scholarship despite having a low CGPA.  So students with average grades can also take their chances.
• Two letters of recommendation are required too. This requirement varies with every program. Applicants should be able to get more information about this from the program’s website they are intending to apply to.
• A certificate of residence. This certificate ensures that you have not been residing in Europe for a year or more in the past five years. This certificate can be acquired from your university, workplace, or local municipal office. It also needs to be attested by a public lawyer.
• Previous degrees and transcripts.
• A letter of motivation. The wording length of it varies with every program. However, some programs do not specify any limits.
• Study plan essay or a research project proposal

Step by Step Application Process of Erasmus Mundus Scholarships 2023:

Please start following the steps below to begin an online application for the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Program 2022:

• Applicants should go to Erasmus’s Mundus scholarship website and contact the program coordinators from there.
• The Erasmus link contains all the programs that are being offered.

• The official website of Erasmus contains the whole procedure to submit the application.
• The last dates of submission vary with every program. Applications can be submitted anytime between December to February.
• Students can select up to three programs in which they wish to study in order of preference.

Tips for Getting Selected for Erasmus Mundus Program:

• Keep enhancing your knowledge in the field you are applying to. Erasmus+ interviews are technical and hard to clear. So, the more knowledge you have the more are your chances of getting the scholarship.

• Make an impactful motivational letter. It can very well be the only thing that can help you especially if you do not have a good enough CGPA.

• Your co-curricular, extra-curricular activities and online courses that you may have done can also make a strong profile. Online courses are especially useful when you are switching fields.

by comms.do