Shaping Tomorrow’s
Global Leaders

The Young Concordia Leaders (YCL) Programme is a transformative fellowship that empowers early-career professionals to become the next generation of global changemakers.

Build Your Future. Build Our Future.

About the Programme:
Now in its third year, The Young Concordia Leadership Programme brings together Muslim professionals aged 25–30 who are committed to leading with integrity, purpose, and global vision. Each year, twenty rising changemakers from across North America, Europe, and beyond are selected to take part in a transformative leadership experience.

Fellows participate in a dynamic, multi-month programme designed to strengthen their leadership capacity, deepen cross-sector collaboration, and build lasting bonds within a high-trust community. Through mentorship with senior leaders, immersive dialogue, and curated convenings, Fellows are equipped to lead with wisdom, compassion, and courage.

Upon completion, Fellows join both a transatlantic alumni network of peers and mentors and the wider Concordia community—gaining continued access to cross-sector opportunities, global convenings, and a platform to amplify their impact for years to come.

Our previous Fellows can be seen here. Refer to our FAQs below for further details about the Fellowship.

Applications for the 2025 Fellowship will open in Mid April.

Programme Structure

The Young Concordia Leadership (YCL) Fellowship unfolds in three key stages, designed to cultivate the next generation of ethical, purpose-driven Muslim leaders from across North America and Europe.

It begins with a series of virtual workshops, where Fellows engage in skills-building, peer exchange, and guided reflections on leadership through a faith-informed lens.

Following the virtual phase, Fellows will convene in Palermo, Sicily, for their own dedicated leadership retreat—an immersive space for deep reflection, strategic thinking, and intentional community-building. Fellows will explore faith-informed approaches to leadership, work closely with mentors and facilitators, and strengthen the bonds that will anchor their journey ahead.

The journey culminates from 6–9 November at the Verdura Resort, where Fellows join the wider Concordia community for high-level dialogues, cross-sector networking, and intergenerational exchange with global leaders.

  • ”The most remarkable thing with YCLis how much one grows in a little overa week, and yet filled with inspiration for an entire lifetime."

    Tamina Sheriffdeen Rauf - Oslo Labour Party
    YCL 2023 Alum

  • "YCL is one of those experiences that must be - experienced. Its profound and transformative effect for young leaders cannot adequately be described in words.”

    Abdullah Budeir - Business Analyst
    YCL 2023 Alum

  • “At YCL, I found a community that felt like family, and left Spain making a promise: I will never stop fighting to make this world a better, safer, and more just place for us.”

    Alaa Elassar - CNN Journalist
    YCL 2023 Alum

 YCL FAQs

  • A groundbreaking annual fellowship designed for young Muslim leaders, 25-30. Our third cohort will begin in November 2025; the YCL program will include in-person programming, master classes, and dedicated one-on-one mentoring with senior leaders from relevant fields. Upon completion, Young Concordians will join The Concordia Forum.

  • Eligible applicants for the YCL Program must:

    • Be between the ages of 25 and 30 by November 1st 2025.

    • Demonstrate strong leadership potential and a commitment to ethical and inclusive leadership.

    • Be proficient in English, as all program activities are conducted in English.

    • Be available to travel to Sicily, Italy, for the in-person Leadership Summit and the Concordia Forum Annual Retreat from November 6-9th, 2025.

  • Applications for our 2025-2026 cohort, limited to 20 fellows will close on the 30th of May 2025. Successful applicants will be notified by the 31st of June and will be announced to the public in August 2025

  • Yes, we encourage you to nominate young Muslims who exhibit remarkable leadership qualities for the YCL Fellowship.

    Please submit your nominations to info@theconcordiaforum.com

  • While the YCL Programme is self-funded, we offer financial assistance and bursaries to support eligible participants

  • Applicants are selected based on their leadership potential, commitment to service, intellectual curiosity, and alignment with the values of the Concordia Forum.

    The selection process is highly competitive and includes a review of all application materials and, for some candidates, an interview.

  • Please get in touch via email: info@theconcordiaforum.com.