Applications open for Young Leaders Conference

Through leadership training, advocacy support, and seed funding, the Sawa Project aims to empower young leaders to create impactful educational programs, awareness campaigns, and outreach initiatives that increase access to mental health services and break down stigma. The project has several phases and selected participants are required to actively participate in all the phases, including the conference, vision planning webinars, and the implementation of seed funding grants.

Benefits

• The Young Leaders Conference-Nairobi, Kenya
  • The three-day Conference will encompass a comprehensive program addressing key aspects of mental health, including challenges and opportunities, leadership development, community engagement, and resource mobilization. Further sessions will focus on mitigating regional mental health stigma and fostering professional empowerment through a dedicated network, and advocacy.
• Vision Planning Webinars
  • Three additional webinars on vision planning will follow up on the Conference. These webinars will help participants build and expand an idea into a concrete project plan. The participants will then submit a completed project plan for funding.
• Financial Support and Mentorship
  • All participants are required to apply for financial support post-conference which will be subject to review and approval by the project team. Up to 10 projects will be supported financially. Participants who receive funding will also be assigned a mentor with a background in mental health initiatives to support their project execution and reporting.

Funding Information

• Participants with actionable project plans will be invited to apply for financial support (up to $1000) to help them in implementation.

Eligibility Criteria

• Young Leaders Must:
  • Be mental health professionals or currently active in the field of mental health through studies or lived experiences.
  • Be between the ages of 25-35 at the start of the conference.
  • Reside in Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania, or Uganda.
  • Currently active in the field of mental health, either through studies, professional work, or community engagement.
  • Be interested in leadership, professional development, mental health initiatives, community development, or lived experiences.
  • Be committed to enhancing professional competencies, developing cross-cultural understanding, fostering networking opportunities, and becoming effective leaders.
  • Be interested in further expanding their work and efforts in the area of mental health
  • Seek to build connections and expand their professional network.
  • Be dedicated to continuous learning and growth.
  • Be able to articulate how the project theme aligns with their current work or aspirations.
  • Demonstrate willingness to engage in networking activities.
  • Commit to actively participate throughout the entire life cycle of the project.
  • Be willing to share best practices and contribute to collaborative initiatives.
  • Commit to fostering regional networks for future exchange.
  • Commit to attending the three-day Conference.
  • Commit to engaging in post-conference virtual activities.
  • Have access to email and the internet to allow for consistent communication with the project team post-Conference.

Application Requirements

• General Information
  • Essay Questions:
    • Describe your current engagement with mental health in your community or professional life. Please provide specific examples of your work, studies, or volunteer activities.
    • The Sawa Project focuses on reducing mental health stigma and increasing access to services in Eastern Africa. What specific challenges related to mental health stigma or access have you observed in your community?
    • What is your motivation to continue working in the area of mental health?
    • Please elaborate on how your background is connected to mental health as a topic(. i.e. studies, profession, work engagements, lived experience). Please specify if you are still studying or graduating.
    • The conference and subsequent webinars offer opportunities for professional development, project funding, and advocacy engagement. How do you envision utilizing the knowledge and resources gained from this experience to create a sustainable impact in your community? Please outline a potential vision for a mental health initiative you would like to implement.
  • Resume
    • Your resume should not be more than one page. They suggest that it be prepared in Times New Roman, 12 font, with 1-inch margins.
  • Liability Waiver
    • At the end of the application, please review the terms and conditions.

For more information, visit MCW Global.