What is it?
MCW Global, The Kofi Annan Foundation, and the Africa Alliance of YMCAs have joined forces to implement the Sawa Project, which aims to equip young mental health professionals, community organizers, and advocates in six Eastern African countires- Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda with the skills, resources, and networks needed to drive change.
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.
Young Leaders Conference (September 3 – 5, 2025)
The Sawa Project will host a conference for young leaders building on the unique model of the “Young Leaders Conference” developed by MCW Global, which leverages leadership to solve region-specific issues through networking and guided discourse about community issues. The Young Leaders Conference is an expansion of the Young Leaders Program focused on leveraging leadership to solve region-specific issues through regional networking.
The Sawa Project Conference (hereafter referred to as the Conference) will welcome young people between the ages of 25-35 from Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda. It seeks to engage young people currently active in the field of mental health, either through studies, professional work, or community engagement. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their connection and engagement with mental health issues, either through studies, current work, or lived experiences.
What We Offer?
The Young Leaders Conference- Nairobi, Kenya
September 3 – 5, 2025 (Mandatory)
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
September 20 – October 20, 2025 (Mandatory)
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
January – June 2026 (Mandatory)
Participants with actionable project plans will be invited to apply for financial support (up to $1,000) to help them in implementation. 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.
Am I Eligible?
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.
- Submit a completed application on or before May 23rd, 2025, at 17:00 East Africa Time.
Stay on Track
- April 11th, 2025: Young Leaders Conference application opens;
- May 23rd, 2025: Young Leaders Conference application closes;
- June 6th, 2025: Acceptances sent out;
- June 13th, 2025: Participants’ Confirmation of acceptance;
- June 20th – June 27th, 2025: Participating in two virtual meetings with the advisory group to explore challenges in mental health in Eastern Africa (mandatory);
- September 3 – 5, 2025: Young Leaders Conference in Nairobi, Kenya;
- September 20th – October 20th, 2025: Three Vision Planning Webinars (two hours each);
- November 20th, 2025: Deadline for project submissions;
- December 1st, 2025: Final decisions sent out and mentors assigned;
- January 1st – June 1st, 2026: Project implementation, including monthly follow-up calls between the team and mentors;
- June 15th, 2026: Submission of final grant report.
Ace Your Application!
The application must be filled out in English. Any part of the application not written in English will not be considered and will be deemed incomplete.
- The application includes:
1. General Information
2. 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.
3. Resume - Your resume should not be more than one page. We suggest that it be prepared in Times New Roman, 12 font, with 1-inch margins.
4. Liability Waiver - At the end of the application, please review the terms and conditions.
5. Application Form - Click below to apply by May 23rd, 2025.
Here’s How it Works
Important Logistics Information
Please carefully read the following logistics information:
- In an effort to make the program accessible to all participants, the Young Leaders Conference is fully funded (free of charge).
- The project will also cover the costs of program tools, e-modules, speakers, and additional program expenses during the conference and the remaining part of the program.
- The project will cover all costs of transportation to and from the Conference using routes that are economically the most efficient ones. This could involve either a flight or travel by road via public transport, depending on your route.
Your lodging costs will also be covered fully by the Conference. However, you will be required to share a room with a fellow conference participant. - The Conference will take place in Nairobi, Kenya.
**If you have any questions or need further clarifications, please feel free to contact us at apply@mcwglobal.org.**
Good luck with your application!
