Application deadline: 31 December 2022
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is accepting applications for the sixth generation of the IOC Young Leaders programme, supported by Worldwide Olympic Partner Panasonic. The programme aims to support young people in developing and implementing social projects that use sport to solve problems in their communities.
The IOC Young Leaders Programme is part of the IOC's long-term commitment to supporting young people and empowering them to become creators of social change through sport, while reinforcing the role of sport as an enabler of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The programme is designed to best equip selected young leaders to solve local problems through grassroots sports initiatives and sustainable business models.
The IOC's Young Leaders programme
Launched in 2016, the IOC Young Leaders programme empowers young people to leverage the power of sport to make a positive difference in their communities. Each project promotes Olympic values and principles, such as respect, tolerance, peace and gender equality, while addressing a specific local problem.
Requirements
The IOC Young Leader profile:
- 20-28 years old
- English proficiency
- Passion for sport as an instrument of social and economic change
- Interest in community action
- Knowledge of the UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Strong communicator and team player willing to learn and grow
- Comfortable managing social networks and new technologies and platforms
This programme is for you if you want it:
- Turning ideation and research into real action and developing solutions
- Become a more effective and stronger leader in sport and social business (or a sport and social business entrepreneur)
- Driving local transformational change in and through sport
- Representing and embodying Olympic values in action
- Commit to a four-year business trip
- Being a mentee and a mentor through a comprehensive mentoring programme
- Collaborate with fellow young leaders, experts, researchers, sports leaders and social enterprises
The 4-week learning sprint
The 4-Week Learning Sprint, which will take place during the month of November 2022, is a virtual learning programme, open to anyone, comprising four virtual sessions dedicated to different topics (it includes content on the Olympic Movement, Olympism 365, Olympic partnerships, the IOC Young Leaders Programmethe UN's Sustainable Development Goals and how to achieve them through sport, etc.).
The sessions can be watched live or watched after they have been made available on the IOC's YouTube channel. Each week, participants will be asked to complete a specific thematic reflection task - linked to each session - which should take no more than an hour to complete.
- Participants will also be encouraged to complete weekly media tasks according to the programme's themes and to share their Learning Sprint journeys.
- Completion of the 4-week Learning Sprint is the first prerequisite for a candidate to be eligible to apply for the IOC Young Leaders Programme. The application process for the programme will open on 1 December 2022. Without completing the Learning Sprint (including all tasks), participants will not be eligible to apply for the IOC Young Leaders Programme.
- The 4-week Learning Sprint Programme is open to anyone between the ages of 20 and 28.
- As long as all the sessions have been followed and the weekly tasks have been completed and submitted on time (exact deadlines to be announced nearer the time), participants will be able to obtain a Certificate of Participation on behalf of the IOC Young Leaders Programme.
Benefits
- 25 IOC Young Leaders will be selected to benefit from a comprehensive four-year programme, providing them with funding, networking support, tools and expertise to become successful social entrepreneurs and make a positive impact through sport.
- This includes a mandatory four-week online learning sprint, a blended learning approach with monthly activities and face-to-face events, weekly learning modules and leadership opportunities, but also a total of CHF 10,000 in seed funding given to each participant over the four years.
Selection criteria
The selection process for the IOC Young Leaders 2023-2026 consists of two phases: the 4-week Learning Sprint and the IOC Young Leaders Programme Application Process.
PHASE 1
Completion of the 4-week Learning Sprint is the first prerequisite for a candidate to be eligible to apply for the IOC Young Leaders Programme.
Enrolment for the 4-week Learning Sprint opens at 15 September and closes on 20 October 2022.
The four sessions of the 4-Week Learning Sprint will take place in November: every Tuesday from 8 November.
More details will be communicated to those who sign up.
PHASE 2
After successfully completing the 4-Week Learning Sprint (Certificate of Participation obtained), a candidate becomes eligible to apply for the IOC Young Leaders Programme.
The application process opens to 1st December and closes on 31st December 2022.
For more information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the IOC Young Leaders Programme
