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FellowshipClosed · usually reopens before MayFunding varies

UNFPA Ghana Youth Leaders (YoLe) Fellowship Programme

UNFPA Ghana (United Nations Population Fund)

One-year leadership fellowship in Accra for young people aged 18-30 resident in Ghana, with UN Volunteer status and a University of Ghana Masters in Youth Leadership and Development. Cohort 8 runs September 2026 to August 2027; applications closed 14 May 2026.

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Eligibility

Who can apply
Ghana
Education required
Bachelors completed
Age
from 18 up to 30 ("Youth aged between 18 - 30 years and resident in Ghana.")
Fields
Leadership, Development studies, Public policy
Language
"Proficient in English (working knowledge of English)"; "All application materials must be submitted in English."
Residency
"resident in Ghana"; fellows serve on site at the UNFPA Ghana Country Office and the University of Ghana Digital Youth Village, Legon, Accra
Also required
  • "Youth with qualifications from accredited tertiary institutions"
  • "Able to commit to the Fellowship Programme and duration fully (one year), on-site at the UNFPA Ghana Country Office and at the University of Ghana Digital Youth Village and Centre for Digital Youth Development, Legon, Accra"
  • "Demonstrate affiliation with youth-led organization/network, NGOs/CSOs, community volunteerism, or currently working on youth development projects by Government agencies"
  • Not eligible: "Former Interns of UNFPA or former Yole Fellows" and "Children, siblings or spouses of an active member of Staff of UNFPA"
  • "Females and Persons living with disability are encouraged to apply."
  • "Successful applicants are expected to fully engage in Fellowship activities Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m each week and sometimes on weekends."

About this opportunity

UNFPA Ghana launched the Youth Leaders (YoLe) Fellowship Programme in 2018 and runs it with the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, the University of Ghana School of Continuing and Distance Education at the Centre for Digital Youth Development, and the United Nations Volunteers programme. It is a one-year, full-time fellowship "designed to empower young people to be ethically driven transformational leaders", with professional and career development across sectors and one-on-one mentorship and coaching from high-achieving personalities. Two features make it unusual among Ghanaian fellowships: fellows acquire UNV status through the UN Volunteers partnership, and UNFPA has partnered with the University of Ghana to award fellows a Masters Degree in Youth Leadership and Development on completion of the academic requirements.

Applicants must be aged between 18 and 30 and resident in Ghana, hold qualifications from accredited tertiary institutions, and be able to commit fully for the year on site at the UNFPA Ghana Country Office and at the University of Ghana Digital Youth Village in Legon, Accra. The fellowship is aimed at youth leaders already serving with youth-led, youth-focused or youth-serving organisations, CSOs, NGOs and public institutions, in areas such as health, innovation, sustainable development, human rights, peace and security, social entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence and agribusiness. Former UNFPA interns and former YoLe fellows are not eligible, nor are children, siblings or spouses of active UNFPA staff. Females and persons living with disability are encouraged to apply.

The application is a Google form carrying a motivation letter of no more than 500 words, a CV, proof of identity (Ghana Card, valid passport or birth certificate) and evidence of health insurance, with National Health Insurance accepted. Fellows are expected to engage Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and sometimes at weekends; there is no provision for accommodation, and fellows who do not complete at least ten months do not receive the Masters or the completion certificate. Cohort 8 closed at 11:59 p.m. on 14 May 2026 and runs from September 2026 to August 2027, so the next opportunity is likely to be Cohort 9 announced on the UNFPA Ghana site in the first half of 2027.

Level
Early career, Master's
Where
Ghana
Duration
One year, September 2026 to August 2027
Difficulty
High · about 3 weeks to prepare

Funding

Funding varies

  • training
  • tuition

The call does not publish a stipend or allowance figure. It states that fellows acquire UNV (United Nations Volunteers) status, that UNFPA Ghana "has partnered with the University of Ghana Digital Youth Village and Centre for Digital Youth Development to award the fellows a Masters Degree in Youth Leadership and Development", and that "There is no provision for accommodation for successful applicants". Fellows who do not complete at least ten months are not awarded the Masters or the completion certificate. The call does not say who pays the University of Ghana academic fees, so the tuition entry reflects the stated award of the degree through the fellowship, not a published fee waiver.

What you will need

  • Motivation letter
  • CV / résumé
  • Passport or national ID
  • Other documents

"A motivation letter (not more than 500 words) ...; C.V./Resume; Proof of Identity (Ghana Card or Valid Passport or Birth Certificate); Evidence of Health Insurance (National Health Insurance is acceptable)". Applications are uploaded through a Google form linked from the call.

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UNFPA Ghana Youth Leaders (YoLe) Fellowship Programme 2026 — Fellowship, Funding varies | eStudent 360