Application Deadline: 28 February 2026
The Amahoro Coalition Fellowship Program is a transformative 12-month leadership and entrepreneurship fellowship designed specifically for Forcibly Displaced Persons (FDPs) who are leading businesses, social enterprises, or advocacy initiatives within their communities. This fellowship recognizes that displaced individuals are not only survivors of crisis but also innovators, leaders, and change-makers with the power to drive sustainable economic and social development.
Running from August 2026 to September 2027, the fellowship equips participants with the tools, mentorship, networks, and financial pathways needed to scale impact-driven solutions and strengthen community resilience. The program is primarily virtual, ensuring accessibility for displaced leaders across different regions, with selective in-person opportunities for networking and learning.
About the Amahoro Coalition Fellowship
The Amahoro Coalition Fellowship was created to address a critical gap in global development: the lack of long-term, leadership-focused investment in forcibly displaced entrepreneurs and community leaders. Many FDP-led initiatives struggle to scale due to limited access to mentorship, funding, networks, and institutional support. This fellowship directly responds to those barriers.
The program supports fellows who are:
- Building businesses or social enterprises
- Driving economic inclusion
- Advancing community-led development
- Creating solutions rooted in lived experience of displacement
By centering displaced leaders as agents of change, the Amahoro Coalition Fellowship promotes dignity, agency, and sustainable development, rather than dependency-based models.
Fellowship Focus Areas
The fellowship emphasizes leadership development at the intersection of entrepreneurship, innovation, and social change. Fellows receive tailored support to strengthen both their personal leadership capacity and the growth potential of their initiatives.
Key focus areas include:
- Entrepreneurial leadership and innovation
- Business and enterprise growth strategies
- Social impact measurement and storytelling
- Advocacy and systems-level change
- Ethical, inclusive, and sustainable development
Throughout the program, fellows are encouraged to refine their vision, clarify their impact goals, and build scalable models that respond to real needs within displaced and host communities.
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Who Can Apply
The Amahoro Coalition Fellowship is open to young, impact-driven leaders with lived experience of forced displacement. Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be between 18 and 35 years old
- Have lived experience as a forcibly displaced person (e.g., refugee, asylum seeker, internally displaced person)
- Be the founder, co-founder, or leader of a business, social enterprise, or community-based initiative
- Demonstrate 1–2 years of measurable progress, such as:
- Business or organization registration
- Revenue generation
- Active partnerships
- Documented social or economic impact
- Be able to commit 10–15 hours per week over the 12-month fellowship period
- Be comfortable working and communicating in English
The fellowship values diversity of ideas, geographies, and sectors, and strongly encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and individuals from underrepresented communities.
What Fellows Will Gain
Selected fellows benefit from a comprehensive support system designed to accelerate both leadership growth and enterprise impact.
Fellowship Benefits Include:
1. Structured Mentorship and Coaching
Fellows are matched with experienced mentors and professional coaches who provide personalized guidance on leadership, strategy, and growth challenges.
2. Leadership and Thought-Leadership Development
Participants engage in leadership training, peer learning sessions, and public storytelling opportunities to strengthen confidence, visibility, and influence.
3. Business and Technical Support
Fellows receive targeted technical assistance tailored to their initiative’s needs, including:
- Business model refinement
- Financial planning
- Market access strategies
- Impact measurement
4. Access to Global Networks
The fellowship connects participants to a powerful ecosystem of:
- Global development practitioners
- Private-sector partners
- Investors and funders
- Fellow entrepreneurs and advocates
5. Funding and Growth Opportunities
Beyond training, fellows gain exposure to funding pathways that can help them sustainably scale their initiatives.
Financial Support
To ensure participation is accessible, the Amahoro Coalition Fellowship provides direct financial and growth-oriented support.
Financial Provisions Include:
- A monthly stipend to support essential costs such as electricity and internet data, enabling consistent participation
- Opportunities to access up to USD 155,000 in blended financing, combining grants, catalytic capital, and investment to help fellows scale their initiatives responsibly
This financial model is designed to support long-term sustainability rather than short-term relief.
Fellowship Structure & Duration
- Duration: 12 months
- Start Date: August 2026
- End Date: September 2027
- Format: Primarily virtual, with selective in-person convenings or events
The virtual structure ensures inclusivity across borders while fostering meaningful collaboration, peer learning, and community building among fellows.
Selection Criteria
Applications are reviewed holistically, with emphasis on:
- Leadership potential and lived experience
- Strength and scalability of the initiative
- Demonstrated progress and traction
- Commitment to community-led impact
- Ability to engage fully in the fellowship
The selection process prioritizes leaders who are already creating change and are ready to scale their impact to the next level.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should review the application process and eligibility details provided by the Amahoro Coalition.
How to Apply & FAQs:
https://amahorocoalition.com/faqs/
Applicants are encouraged to apply early and prepare thoughtful responses that clearly articulate:
- Their leadership journey
- The impact of their initiative
- Their vision for growth and sustainability
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 28 February 2026
- Fellowship Period: August 2026 – September 2027
Why the Amahoro Coalition Fellowship Matters
The Amahoro Coalition Fellowship is more than a leadership program—it is an investment in the power, resilience, and innovation of forcibly displaced leaders. By supporting FDPs to scale their own solutions, the fellowship contributes to economic inclusion, dignity, and sustainable development in some of the world’s most affected communities.
For displaced leaders ready to amplify their impact, this fellowship represents a rare opportunity to gain long-term support, global visibility, and the resources needed to lead lasting change.