The Obama Leaders program aims to inspire, empower, and connect regional cohorts of changemakers to accelerate positive and lasting change in their communities and throughout their region. These emerging leaders from around the world, generally 24-45 years old, forge societies and communities rooted in shared values, where all people belong, participate, and thrive.
The Leaders program offers practical skill building for social change, leadership coaching, discussion of critical issues, and small group support. As participants, Leaders self-define a values-based foundation for sustained leadership, cultivate relationships with others to catalyze more inclusive, lasting change, and prepare to engage with issues at the systems level.
Upon completion of the program, Leaders will have gained a deeper understanding of how values-based leadership advances their ability to enact change. They will be inspired to take further action, propelled by new ideas and skills. Most importantly, Leaders will continue to gain a broader continental and global perspective, joining the Obama Leadership Network, a growing global alumni community of over 1,000 active changemakers.
Eligibility
Changemakers between the ages of 24 and 45 from the Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and United States regions who want to deepen their leadership skills and connect with other emerging leaders are invited to apply.
The program currently invites individuals residing in an eligible country in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and United States regions.
You must meet one of the following criteria:
Citizen of an eligible country or territory OR
Permanent resident of an eligible country or territory OR
Have lived in an eligible country or territory for at least the last 5 years, regardless of citizenship or permanent residence status
Your work is geographically focused on creating positive change for local communities, an eligible nation or territory, and/or the broader region. You demonstrate a strong commitment to continue to focus your work in the region.
You can demonstrate at least 3 years of relevant experience in your issue area.
You will be between 24 and 45 years of age on August 26, 2024.
You are professionally proficient in spoken and written English.
You will refrain from participating in an electoral campaign as a candidate for political office from the time you are accepted into the program through May 1, 2025. Selection decisions are currently scheduled to be sent in July and August 2024.
You can commit to fully participating for the entire duration of the six-month program. You must be able to attend between 8 and 12 hours of required virtual programming each month, as well as attend required leadership coaching sessions and engage in community group discussions throughout the program duration.
The Obama Foundation is based in the United States. To participate in the program, you must be under no legal or regulatory restrictions that would limit your participation in virtual Foundation programming or travel to the U.S. for in-person programming (if any).
Program Types
Africa: The Obama Foundation Leaders Africa program seeks to build a growing network of innovative and values-based changemakers who will drive positive change in their communities, the continent, and the world.
Asia-Pacific: Leaders Asia-Pacific is a non-residential leadership development program that seeks to ground emerging leaders in a values-based leadership framework to advance inclusive and lasting change in their communities, in the Asia-Pacific region, and across the world.
Europe: Leaders Europe is a six-month, virtual leadership development journey that seeks to inspire, empower, and connect emerging leaders from across Europe. Each Leaders Europe cohort includes up to 35 participants annually.
United States: The Obama Foundation Leaders USA program is a six-month, non-residential leadership development program that seeks to inspire, empower, and connect emerging leaders across the country.
