Deadline: 23rd November 2025.
The Shaping Futures: African-European Network on Development and Sustainability Academy (Shaping Futures Academy) is a dialogue and training programme targeted at early to mid-career professionals from selected African and European (EU+) 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 organisations. They jointly develop strategies on how they can induce or support change processes for a transformation to sustainability in the present and future contexts.
The Shaping Futures Academy welcomes participants from 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.
Financial AssistanceÂ
In order to facilitate participation, successful applicants to the Shaping Futures
Academy will be provided a financial assistance, covering the following:
- Travel to and from Germany
- Accommodation for the duration of the in-person phase
- A monthly living allowance to cover living costs in Germany for the duration of the in-person phase*
- Health, accident, and personal liability insurance for the duration of their stay in Germany
- Subsidy to help meet the technical requirements of the online phases of the programme
Application criteria
Potential participants of the Shaping Futures Academy should:
- be a national or permanent resident of one of the eligible 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;
- be available to participate for the entire duration of the Academy;
- Adhere to the principles of timeliness and respectful conduct during interactions;
- have a valid passport (at the time of travel); and
- be available, together with the supervisor who signs the employer form, to attend an informative online pre-engagement briefing on 14 January 2026 from 13 – 14 hrs CET;
Eligible countries
We welcome applications from early to mid-career professionals from the following countries*:
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Senegal
- Tunisia
- Zambia
- European countries belonging to the EU, plus EEA and UK
How to apply
Please follow these steps in your application process:
- Make sure you fulfil the application criteria (see below)
- Read the Conditions for Participation
- Complete & compile your application documents:
- Application Form Part I: Applicant’s statement – to be completed and signed by you.
- Application Form Part II: Employer’s statement of support – to be completed, signed and stamped by your employer.
- Diploma/Certificates and supporting documents in English, French or German, or a translation of your highest professional qualification and/or university degree to any of these languages.
Submit your application via the external application portal (one application per applicant). Incomplete applications will not be considered.
For more information.