Applications are open for the 2nd Cohort of Generation Connect Young Leadership Programme in Partnership with Huawei (GCYLP) fellows

The Generation Connect Young Leadership Programme (GCYLP) in partnership with Huawei is an initiative launched by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to engage, empower, and inspire young digital leaders and changemakers aged 18-28.

This one-year leadership program supports young visionaries from around the world who propose creative, innovative, and feasible community-driven projects aimed at creating a more inclusive and empowered digital future.

Key Features of the Program:

The GCYLP seeks to enable young leaders to implement or expand digital development projects that address societal challenges, such as education, healthcare, sustainability, or digital inclusion, using innovative technologies.

Support Provided:

Participants receive virtual mentorship and leadership training from ITU and Huawei experts, as well as participation in an in-person global training week (location to be confirmed).

Up to USD 10,000 in grant funding is available per fellow. Each of the 30 selected fellows receives an initial USD 5,000 grant to implement their proposed project, with an additional USD 5,000 awarded to the most impactful projects at the end of the year for scaling up.

Eligibility: Applicants must be aged 18-28, enrolled in or recently graduated from a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) or STEM-related academic program, and able to communicate in English, the program’s primary language.

Selection Process: 

Applications are reviewed by ITU and Huawei staff in an initial shortlisting round.

Shortlisted candidates provide additional documentation (ID, video, and references) for final evaluation by a global jury.

For the 2025 cohort, the application deadline is March 31, 2025, at 23:59 CET, with fellows announced by June 2025.

Program Impact:

The GCYLP is part of the broader ITU Youth Strategy and Huawei’s commitment to digital inclusion under initiatives like Partner2Connect. Since its launch, the program has supported diverse projects worldwide, such as affordable renewable energy solutions, digital education platforms, and healthcare innovations. The first cohort, selected from over 5,249 applicants across 200+ countries, included fellows from 28 countries who participated in a development week in Switzerland in 2024, featuring leadership workshops and visits to innovation hubs.

How to Apply:

Applications for the 2025 cohort are currently open. Interested candidates can submit their proposals via the official ITU website https://www.itu.int/generationconnect/empower/generation-connect-young-leadership-programme-in-partnership-with-huawei/

The program is conducted in English, ensuring accessibility to its training and networking opportunities.

This partnership between ITU and Huawei reflects a commitment to fostering youth-led innovation, bridging digital divides, and advancing global sustainable development goals through technology.

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