Applications are now open for the Obama Foundation Leaders Program 2027/2028, an eight-month global virtual leadership development journey. Designed for changemakers aged 24 to 45 across various sectors, the program brings together diverse cohorts to collaborate, share insights, and strengthen their values-based leadership. The program is open across four regions and free to all participants.
Complete guide to the Obama Foundation Leaders Program 2027/2028 covering program details, regional cohorts, requirements, weekly sessions, community groups, coaching, benefits, and the application process.
Quick Highlights
Parameter
Details
Organization
Obama Foundation
Position
Obama Leader (participant in the Leaders Program)
Program Type
Eight-month global virtual leadership development journey
Location
Global virtual; Leaders Africa is a hybrid journey
Eligibility
Changemakers aged 24 to 45 across various sectors
Experience Required
No leadership rank or title requirements; full-time or volunteer leadership accepted
Sector
Public, civil society, and private sector
Preferred Applicants
Emerging leaders worldwide with a clear issue of focus
Working Language
Not specified
Application Method
Apply through the official Obama Foundation webpage
The Obama Foundation runs the Leaders Program as an eight-month, global virtual leadership development journey that brings together diverse cohorts of changemakers to collaborate, share insights, and strengthen their values-based leadership. The program is open across four regions and free to all participants.
Area
Details
Program Name
Obama Foundation Leaders Program 2027/2028
Duration
Eight months
Format
Global virtual leadership development journey
Regions
Open across four regions
Cost
Free to all participants
Age Range
24 to 45 years
Core Focus
Values-based leadership, collaboration, and peer learning
Leaders Africa Program
Leaders Africa is an eight-month, hybrid leadership journey for 35 leaders from across the African continent, focused on exploring values-based leadership skills and building deep relationships with fellow cohort members. The program identifies exceptional trailblazers in public, civil society, and the private sector who have a clear issue-focus and who can illustrate the impact of their work.
Area
Details
Program Name
Leaders Africa
Duration
Eight months
Format
Hybrid leadership journey
Cohort Size
35 leaders from across the African continent
Focus
Values-based leadership skills and deep cohort relationships
Sectors
Public, civil society, and private sector
Aim
Build a network of values-based leaders creating positive, innovative change in communities, throughout Africa, and around the world
Program Requirements
Across the spectrum of diversity, the program endeavors to identify applicants and invite Leaders to the program who meet the following requirements.
Requirement
Details
Issue Focus
Possess a clear issue of focus and can describe or measure their impacts
Leadership Position
Hold a leadership position in their changemaking work, whether full-time or volunteer; no leadership rank or title requirements
Leadership Approach
Demonstrate a deeply ethical, values-based, equitable, and collaborative approach to leadership
Learning Willingness
Demonstrate a willingness to learn from and share with other Leaders in a group setting
Program Details
For an average of 8-12 hours per month, the program will bring together cohorts of leaders from across the regions. Participants, known as "Obama Leaders" or "Leaders", will take part in weekly sessions.
Component
Details
Time Commitment
Average of 8-12 hours per month
Cohort Structure
Cohorts of leaders from across the regions
Weekly Sessions
Practical tools and training for deepening values-based leadership
Reflection Spaces
Curated spaces for deep personal reflection and interpersonal learning with peers
Community Groups
Community groups for peer connection
Thought Leadership
Conversations with thought leaders
Coaching
Leadership coaching
Cultural Programming
Programming that showcases the richness of diversity in the region
Weekly Group Learning Sessions
Weekly virtual group sessions offer a mix of collective engagement including conversations on leadership frameworks, engagements with regional-based individuals in relevant subject areas, and interactive, small-group work in breakout spaces.
Session Element
Details
Format
Weekly virtual group sessions
Leadership Frameworks
Conversations on leadership frameworks
Regional Experts
Engagements with regional-based individuals in relevant subject areas
Small-Group Work
Interactive work in breakout spaces
Monthly Community Groups
Leaders work in learning groups with other program participants that encourage deeper relationship-building and peer-learning, and offer opportunities to reflect on case studies of prominent African leaders and issues.
Group Element
Details
Format
Monthly community groups
Purpose
Deeper relationship-building and peer-learning
Reflection
Opportunities to reflect on case studies of prominent African leaders and issues
Individualized Leadership and Regional Coaching
Each Leader is supported by a cadre of coaching engagements to help them gain self-awareness, clarify goals, brainstorm ideas, achieve their development objectives, unlock their potential, and dive into more specificity on issue-based area regional challenges and opportunities.
Coaching Element
Details
Support
Cadre of coaching engagements for each Leader
Self-Awareness
Helps Leaders gain self-awareness
Goal Setting
Helps clarify goals and achieve development objectives
Idea Development
Brainstorming ideas and unlocking potential
Regional Focus
Dives into specificity on issue-based area regional challenges and opportunities
Benefits and Funding
The program is free to all participants and offers a structured leadership development experience across virtual sessions, community groups, and coaching.
Detail
Information
Program Cost
Free to all participants
Leadership Training
Practical tools and training for deepening values-based leadership
Peer Learning
Curated spaces for personal reflection and interpersonal learning with peers
Community
Community groups and cohort relationship-building
Thought Leaders
Conversations with thought leaders
Coaching
Leadership coaching
Cultural Programming
Programming showcasing regional diversity
Network
Builds a network of values-based leaders creating positive, innovative change
Who Should Apply
Background
Details
Changemakers aged 24 to 45
Yes
Leaders in public sector
Priority consideration
Leaders in civil society
Priority consideration
Leaders in private sector
Priority consideration
Full-time changemaking leaders
Yes
Volunteer changemaking leaders
Yes
Applicants with a clear issue of focus and measurable impact
Yes
Applicants with no leadership rank or title
Yes, no rank or title requirements
How to Apply
Step
Action
1
Review the program requirements and confirm you meet the eligibility criteria
2
Visit the official Obama Foundation Leaders Program webpage
3
Complete the application for the 2027/2028 Obama Foundation Leaders Program
4
Submit your application before the deadline of December 4, 2026
Important Dates
Date
Event
November 9, 2026
Applications announced open
December 4, 2026
Application deadline
Important Links (Direct URLs)
Description
URL
Official Webpage of the Obama Foundation's Leaders Program
Q1. What is the Obama Foundation Leaders Program 2027/2028?
It is an eight-month, global virtual leadership development journey for changemakers aged 24 to 45 across various sectors.
Q2. Who is eligible to apply?
Changemakers aged 24 to 45 across various sectors who possess a clear issue of focus, hold a leadership position in their changemaking work, demonstrate values-based leadership, and are willing to learn and share in a group setting.
Q3. Is the program free?
Yes, the program is free to all participants.
Q4. What is the duration of the program?
The program runs for eight months.
Q5. How much time is required per month?
Participants commit an average of 8-12 hours per month.
Q6. What is Leaders Africa?
Leaders Africa is an eight-month, hybrid leadership journey for 35 leaders from across the African continent, focused on values-based leadership skills and building deep relationships with fellow cohort members.
Q7. What activities are included in the program?
Weekly group learning sessions, monthly community groups, individualized leadership and regional coaching, conversations with thought leaders, and cultural programming.
Q8. Are there leadership rank or title requirements?
No, there are no leadership rank or title requirements; full-time or volunteer leadership work is accepted.
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