The Shaping Futures: African-European Network on Development and Sustainability Academy

About

The Shaping Futures: African-European Network on Development and Sustainability Academy (Shaping Futures Academy), formerly known as the BMZ African-German Leadership Academy (African Academy) is a dialogue and training programme targeted at early to mid-career professionals from participating African, (Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, Togo, and Zambia) and European (EU, EEA, and UK) countries. The Shaping Futures Academy aims to empower future leaders on both continents by bringing together like- minded peers to reflect on their roles in their respective communities and institutions and develop strategies on how they can induce or support change processes for a transformation to sustainability in the present and future contexts.

With diversity at its the core, the Shaping Futures Academy welcomes participants from a various sectors (civil society, academia and think tanks, public administration, business and media) to encourage transdisciplinarity and to promote networking and knowledge exchange.

The Shaping Futures Academy is hosted by the German Institute for Development and Sustainability (IDOS) and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The programme is conducted in English.

Applications for the 2024 Academy are now open. Apply until 15 November 2023 !

Eligibility

The Shaping Futures Academy targets early to mid-career professionals from participating African (Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, Togo and Zambia) and European (EU, EEA and UK) countries.

• be a national or permanent resident of one of the participating countries
• be 25 – 40 years old*
• work on issues relevant for sustainable development and governance
• have at least three years’ work experience (non-remunerated experience is also recognised)
• have the support of their employer (written support required as part of application)
• have a very good command of the English language (equivalent to B2 level of the CEFR)
• be respectful of other cultures
• be open to teamwork, reflection and a broad variety of working methods
• have a valid passport (at the time of travel)

*older applicants, who have taken longer periods of parental leave, may be considered.

How to Apply?

For full information about the Shaping Futures Academy 2024 please refer to the Academy Brochure.

To apply to become a participant, you will need to submit the following documents in pdf format, via the application portal:

• Application Form Part I: Applicant’s statement – To be completed and signed by the applicant.
• Application Form Part II: Employer statement of support –To be completed, signed and stamped by the employer.
• Diploma – Copy of diploma or certificate (in English, French or English translation) of the highest professional qualification and/or university degree

Please make sure to read the Conditions for Participation before you apply. Only complete applications will be considered.

Please submit your application documents via the application portal. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Deadline for application: 15 November 2023

For any questions concerning the application process, please contact: shapingfutures@idos-research.de