About this opportunity
The people who feel climate impacts first are rarely in the room where climate priorities get set. Libra Philanthropies built the 2027 Rising Global Leaders Changemakers Climate Cohort to close that gap, taking six to eight emerging climate leaders through nine months of leadership development, immersive learning and individualised capacity building between January and September 2027.
The programme sits inside the Rising Global Leaders family, where the Changemakers pathway is for leaders who already have a clear focus and are creating impact at community level. The 2027 cohort applies that to climate action through three thematic pillars: understanding the climate system, meaning how funding, power, institutions and accountability decide which solutions get supported; local adaptation and community resilience; and moving from participation to genuine influence.
Cohort members come together in person three times. There is a kickoff in February 2027, an experiential learning trip in May 2027, and a finish in New York City in September 2027 at the Concordia Annual Summit, where participants graduate and join the wider global leadership community. Alongside the convenings, the programme runs expert led workshops, personalised capacity building in areas such as strategy, governance and communications, cohort reflection circles, mentorship and peer exchange. Expect to give about 100 to 110 hours of active participation across the nine months.
Libra Philanthropies covers all travel and programme related costs, and the official page does not list a personal stipend, so treat this as a funded place rather than a salary. Applications opened on September 22, 2026 and close on October 23, 2026, with rolling review, interviews in November 2026 and the cohort announced in December 2026. The written application takes about 30 minutes and you also submit a short recorded video introducing yourself and your climate work.
What you receive
- A nine month leadership programme from January to September 2027, run by Libra Philanthropies
- All travel and programme related costs covered, including the experiential learning trip and the New York City gathering
- Three in person convenings: kickoff in February 2027, immersion trip in May 2027, and the Concordia Summit and graduation in September 2027
- Expert led strategic workshops tied to the three climate pillars
- Personalised capacity building in areas such as strategy, governance, communications, partnership building and organisational development
- Cohort reflection circles and mentorship, plus the chance to lead sessions for younger Rising Global Leaders members
- A deliberately small cohort of 6 to 8 people, which means closer collaboration and more tailored support
- Entry into a global network of emerging leaders across climate and social impact
Who can apply
- Be aged 20 to 35
- Already lead or play a significant role in a climate focused initiative or organisation
- Your initiative or organisation should have at least one year of operating history, be nonpartisan, and preferably run an annual budget under $500,000
- Address climate change in ways grounded in the needs and experience of the communities you serve
- Be willing to benefit from capacity building, collaborate, share learning and contribute to collective impact
- Be available for roughly 100 to 110 hours of active participation across nine months, including the in person gatherings
Who should not apply
- This is not an introductory course for people who are simply interested in climate change. The cohort is for leaders already taking action
- The programme states no country restriction, but participants must be able to travel and attend in person convenings, including the New York City summit
- There is no personal stipend or salary, only covered travel and programme costs
Documents to prepare
- A completed written application, which the provider says takes about 30 minutes
- A short recorded video introducing yourself and your climate work
- Details of your initiative or organisation, including how long it has been operating and its annual budget
How to apply
- Read the official 2027 Climate Cohort page and check the eligibility criteria against your own work
- Record a short video introducing yourself and the climate initiative you lead
- Open the official application form at https://airtable.com/appKpVqIUGOpCxcSX/pagWajEldlMpZWxHm/form and complete the written section, which takes about 30 minutes
- Submit before the close on October 23, 2026, since review is rolling and early applications are read early
- If shortlisted, attend an interview with members of the programme team in November 2026
- Wait for the final cohort announcement in December 2026, ahead of the January 2027 start
Selection process
- Step 1: written application plus a short recorded video submission
- Step 2: the Libra Philanthropies team reviews applications against the eligibility and selection criteria, on a rolling basis as submissions arrive
- Step 3: shortlisted candidates are invited to interview with members of the programme team, scheduled for November 2026
- Step 4: 6 to 8 selected participants are notified before the 2027 Climate Cohort is publicly announced in December 2026
Sources and verification
- Official source , Discovered by the opportunity automation module.
Questions applicants ask
Is the Climate Cohort fully funded?
Yes for costs. Libra Philanthropies states that all travel and programme related costs are fully covered. The programme does not list a separate personal stipend or salary, so a covered place and a cash award are not the same thing.
How many participants are selected?
The 2027 Climate Cohort is expected to have 6 to 8 participants, kept small so that support can be tailored and relationships run deeper.
Is there an age limit?
Yes. Applicants must be between 20 and 35 years old.
Can I apply from Nigeria or anywhere in Africa?
The official criteria set no country restriction, so applicants from Nigeria and elsewhere in Africa are within scope as long as they meet the age, leadership and organisational requirements and can travel to the in person convenings.
When is the deadline?
Applications opened on September 22, 2026 and close on October 23, 2026. The official page gives the closing date without a cut-off time, so submit early, especially since review is rolling.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
