Apply to become a Future Leaders Connect member
Being a member of the British Council’s Future Leaders Connect means you will be part of an exclusive group of exceptional individuals from around the world who are recognised as the next generation of leaders. As part of Future Leaders Connect, you will travel to the UK for ten days to take part in our advanced policy and leadership programme and become a part of the British Council’s long-term global network of emerging policy leaders. You will discuss today’s biggest challenges in the UK Houses of Parliament, meet world leaders, learn at Churchill College, University of Cambridge and gain exclusive access to a range of policy leaders as well as visiting some of the UK’s leading institutions. Following your time in the UK, you will have worldwide connections, a policy action plan for change and the skills, knowledge and networks needed to be an influential leader in your country and beyond.
"This world will be what you are going to make of it, you are the leaders, it is your time to lead."
Graça Machel, Deputy Chair of The Elders, International advocate for women’s and children’s rights, former freedom fighter and first Education Minister of Mozambique
Who can apply?
To be eligible to apply you must meet the following criteria. Unfortunately, your application will not be accepted if you do not meet all the below criteria;
- You must be living in one of our participating countries – Brazil, Canada, Ethiopia, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, Tunisia, UK (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales).
- Be aged between 25 and 35 (on application closing date)
- Be able to speak and understand English. No official qualification is required, but you must be able to speak English to the IELTS level 7 or equivalent
- Have availability to travel to the UK for the programme
- Have a valid passport and be eligible to access a visa for the UK if required
More about the types of people we are looking for
- You should be able to explain how you want to make change in your country and beyond through policymaking
- You should have a good knowledge about policy and how policymaking happens in your country
- You should be willing to engage long term with the British Council and the Future Leaders Connect network
- You are likely to be your early to mid-career and already have examples of when you have demonstrated leadership
- You should have strong networks and be committed to supporting the development of the country you are living in through policy change
The programme is fully accessible, the costs of travel, accommodation and meals are covered by the British Council. We are looking for exceptional individuals with the ideas, energy and commitment to work collaboratively with all members of the Future Leaders Connect and senior leaders. The programme aims to be representative of the countries in which it operates, and we encourage applications from all sections of society.
“The experience from the training at Cambridge, to meeting the former Presidents and champions of human rights, MP’s of the UK Houses of Commons, House of Lords and the amazing group of global leaders has been totally amazing. Future Leaders Connect is definitely life-altering, full of learning, full of experiences and fully recommended.”
Future Leaders Connect member
Applying and becoming a Future Leaders Connect member
There are four stages to becoming a Future Leaders Connect member, as outlined below.
Becoming a Future Leaders Connect member
Stage 1 – Complete your online application.
It will take you approximately one hour to complete your online application, you cannot save and come back to it later, the whole application must be done at once. Included in the online application are a series of simple general personal information questions, so we can confirm you meet the criteria and that we can contact you. There are two main questions on the themes of policy and leadership (do we still want to add the questions?).
Stage 2 – Finalists take part in events/interviews in their country
At this stage we will let you know if you have been shortlisted or not. If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to interviews/an event in your country (dates to be shared with those shortlisted). At the interviews/the event you will present your policy vision and explain your leadership experience to a panel of experts. Unfortunately, if you cannot attend the interview/event your application cannot be progressed. There will be some places on the reserves list at this stage.
Stage 3 - New Future Leaders Connect members convene in the UK for ten-day programme
At the interview/event we will make our final decision on who will become members of Future Leaders Connect – the global network of emerging policy leaders. You will be expected to prepare to take part in private senior meetings, training and development sessions and visits to leading UK institutions. Before travelling to the UK, you will also have to apply for a visa (if required), complete a series of pre-work and webinars and be in contact with the British Council on an ongoing basis regarding logistics.
Stage 4 – Future Leaders Connect members stay involved in the network for the long-term
You will be part of the British Council’s long-term network of emerging policy leaders and continue to be connected to professional development and learning opportunities locally, nationally and internationally. You will regularly report back on progress of your policy action plan and share your learning from the programme with people in your community and beyond.
"We need brilliant minds, we are going to need as many people as possible driving policy change, so do not give it a second thought, apply for Future Leaders Connect."
Future Leaders Connect member
#FutureLeadersConnect
Watch videos from the Future Leaders Connect members to hear about their experiences.
Read our Frequently Asked Questions below.
