Young leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean have a chance to attend a major global event with full funding through the Ilia Calderón Scholarship 2026. This program supports people who are already making real changes in their communities. It takes selected participants to the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa.
What is the Ilia Calderón Scholarship 2026?
The Ilia Calderón Scholarship partners with the Jang Calderón Family Foundation to help young changemakers. It targets those working on issues like entrepreneurship, advocacy, social innovation, education, environmental action, technology, and community development. Past versions ran in 2021 through 2025, and this one continues that work.
Winners get to join thousands of delegates at the summit. There, they share ideas, learn from leaders, build partnerships, grow skills, and see solutions from around the world. The focus stays on people who show leadership through real projects, not just talk.
About the One Young World Summit 2026
The One Young World Summit gathers young leaders from almost every country. It happens from November 3 to 6, 2026, in Cape Town. Sessions cover leadership training, policy talks, new ideas for society, networking, sustainable growth, and youth projects.
Attendees take part in keynotes, workshops, panels, and group work on big problems like climate, health, rights, and tech. They meet people from government, business, nonprofits, media, and more. This setup helps build skills and connections that last.
Key Benefits of the Scholarship
This fully funded program covers everything needed for the trip. Here is what winners receive.
Full Summit Access
Scholars join all events in Cape Town.
Hotel Stay
A private room from check-in on November 2 to check-out on November 7, 2026.
Travel Costs
Economy round-trip flights to Cape Town, plus transport to the airport from home.
Visa Help
Costs for visas if needed.
Local Transport
Rides between the hotel and summit site.
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the summit.
Translation
English-to-Spanish services for main sessions, welcome events, and closings.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants need to fit certain rules to apply.
Age Rules
You must be 18 to 30 years old by summit time. People over 30 can apply if they show strong impact and leadership. Those under 18 cannot join.
Eligible Countries
You must be a national from one of these places.
Latin America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela.
Central America: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama.
Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago.
How Applications Are Reviewed
Judges look at key qualities in candidates.
- Leadership: Proof of leading projects or inspiring change.
- Impact: Clear ways you helped your community.
- Innovation: Fresh ideas that solve problems.
- Commitment: Strong drive to fix local or global issues.
- Motivation: Reasons why the summit fits your goals.
Reasons to Apply for the Ilia Calderón Scholarship 2026
This goes beyond a free trip. It builds a global network, meets top speakers, showcases your work, and boosts skills. You gain recognition, work across cultures, and grow your projects. For those already active in change, it helps take efforts to a bigger level.
Application Details and Deadline
Apply early to meet all needs. The deadline is June 15, 2026.
For more details, check the official page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ilia Calderón Scholarship 2026?
It is a fully funded program that sends young leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean to the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa. The scholarship supports changemakers working on issues like education, environment, and community development.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must be 18-30 years old (or over 30 with strong impact) and nationals of countries in Latin America, Central America, or the Caribbean. They need to show leadership through real community projects.
What does the scholarship cover?
It includes full summit access, a hotel stay from November 2-7, economy flights, visa costs, local transport, meals, and English-to-Spanish translation for key sessions.
When is the application deadline?
The deadline to apply is June 15, 2026. Apply early through the official One Young World link.
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