The Commonwealth100 2026, a transformative free online leadership course, hosted by Common Purpose, invites emerging Commonwealth leaders to a seven-week virtual program. Launched in 2017, this fully funded initiative equips young visionaries across 54 Commonwealth nations with 21st-century leadership skills, aligning with UN SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). With a $1 million budget, it attracts 100,000+ applications, empowering 3,000+ alumni to spark 2,000+ social impact projects. Participants join a global leadership ecosystem, collaborating with peers, senior leaders, and partners like The Scottish Government, Bank of Zambia, and British Council.

This dynamic virtual course amplifies Open Source Leadership, a model co-created by 1,000+ young Commonwealth leaders in 2017, emphasizing traits like awake, interconnected, trustworthy, quick, and accessible. The theme, “Shaping a Networked Commonwealth Future”, builds on focus, prioritizing climate advocacy, digital inclusion, and social equity. Participants engage in interactive e-modules, featuring webinars with figures like Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Bangladesh Parliament Speaker, and masterclasses on cross-cultural collaboration, ethical decision-making, and impact-driven leadership via Common Purpose’s platform. Virtual discussion forums connect 5,000+ stakeholders across Africa, Asia, and Oceania.

Participants access self-paced e-content, requiring 3–6 hours over seven weeks, exploring real-world case studies, such as youth-led climate campaigns in Barbados or digital literacy projects in Kenya. Peer-to-peer exercises foster global dialogue, while alumni-led webinars with RMIT University and Queen Mary University of London enhance networking. Outreach partners, including Westpac Bicentennial Foundation, amplify 3,500+ leadership outputs yearly. The program integrates AI for leadership analytics, trending in global education.

Since 2017, Commonwealth100 has cultivated a socially conscious generation, with cohort launching 1,200+ initiatives in Nigeria, India, and Australia. Conducted in English, with multilingual subtitles for French, Hindi, and Swahili, it ensures accessibility. The Common Purpose Framework, rooted in inclusivity, innovation, and collaboration, champions global partnerships, as showcased at Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings. The cohort aims to spark 4,000+ community-led solutions via a digital leadership toolkit.

Join emerging Commonwealth leaders to ignite free online leadership development, shape a networked Commonwealth future, and drive transformative impact with Commonwealth100 2026!

Commonwealth100 2026, Fully Funded: 

Where:

•The program is hosted online.

Course Dates:

Upcoming program dates are:

•6 March – 24 April.
•1 May – 19 June.
•3 July – 21 August.

Benefits:

•This is your opportunity to gain practical skills for the future, reflect upon your own leadership style, and move forward with a new perspective on how to make the most positive impact. The program has built-in reflective exercises where you can share and learn from senior and young leaders’ thoughts and experiences.

•You will take part in interactive exercises and discussions with peers from across the Commonwealth. And you will read compelling articles, which explore the skills you need to be successful in the 21st century.

•All participants who complete the program will receive the Open-Source Leadership Badge, which can be used as a record of your achievement on your CV or online profiles.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Commonwealth100 is open to young people, aged 18+, from across the Commonwealth.

2. You may be at the beginning of your career or in Higher or Further Education.

3. Applicants must pay a USD 19 registration fee.

Documents required:

1. Recommendation letter (if available).

2. Certificate of student status/Certificate of Academic degree.

3. Academic transcript (if required).

4. Proof of Language proficiency (English)/ Medium of Instruction (English).

5. CV (if required).

6. Additional Documents for Special Circumstances.

7. Copy of Valid Passport (Photo and Information Page).

8. Passport Size Photocopy (Professional photo with White Background and size less than 2 MB).

Program Deadline:

• Registration deadline for 2025 has passed.

• Registration for 2026 is now open with a tentative deadline in December 2025!

Note:
We initiate the application process for current year as well as in advance for the next academic year to maximize your chances of success.