Leaders Europe

Leaders Europe is a six-month, virtual leadership development program that seeks to inspire, empower, and connect emerging leaders to advance inclusive and lasting change in their communities, throughout Europe, and across the world.

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About

The Leaders Europe program identifies emerging leaders working in government, civil society, and the private sector who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing the common good. It aims to build a growing network of innovative and values-based changemakers who seek to drive change in their communities while developing and supporting one another. Through a core set of shared values and leadership skills, the program seeks to lift up a new generation of civically active, positive role models who are prepared to create tangible solutions to the challenges in their communities, countries, across Europe, and the world.

Program offerings include:

  • Weekly leadership skill-building workshops

    Tailored workshops support Leaders in identifying and activating personal values, engaging across difference, harnessing inclusive forms of power, and building skills for pragmatic, adaptive leadership over the long haul.

  • Timely conversations

    Once a month, Leaders engage in conversation around some of the most challenging issues confronting Europe with the community leaders at the forefront of them.

  • Monthly Community Groups

    The program includes opportunities for Leaders to meet virtually in small groups and for one-on-one conversations to build deep, lasting relationships that will carry them through their leadership journey.

  • Individualized Leadership Coaching

    Each Leader is paired with a coach to help them gain self-awareness, clarify goals, brainstorm ideas, achieve their development objectives, and unlock their potential.

How to apply

The application for the 2025-2026 Leaders program is now closed. Please check back here this November for updates on our 2026-2027 Leaders application.

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  • Location

    The program currently invites individuals residing in any of the 46 Council of Europe member states (Opens in a new tab) and Kosovo to apply.

  • Citizenship and Residency

    You must meet one of the following criteria:

    • Citizen of an eligible country or territory OR 

    • Permanent resident of an eligible country or territory OR 

    • A refugee or asylum seeker in an eligible European nation or territory OR

    • Have lived in an eligible country or territory for at least the last 5 years, regardless of citizenship or permanent residence status 

  • Geographic Focus

    Your work is geographically focused on creating positive change for local communities, an eligible nation, and/or the broader Europe region. You demonstrate a strong commitment to continue to focus your work in the Europe region.

  • Program Commitment

    The Leaders Europe program is currently scheduled to begin the week of September 1, 2025 and will conclude no later than May 1, 2026, with planned breaks throughout.

  • Language Proficiency & Age

    You are professionally proficient in English and you will be between 24 and 45 years of age on September 1, 2025.

  • Leadership Experience

    You can demonstrate at least 3 years of relevant experience in your issue area. 

  • Political Campaigns

    You will refrain from participating in an electoral campaign as a candidate for political office from the time you are accepted into the program through May 1, 2026. Selection decisions are currently scheduled to be sent out in June 2025.

  • Jurisdiction and Ability to Participate in a U.S.-Based Program

    The Obama Foundation is based in the United States. To participate in the program, you must be under no legal or regulatory restrictions that would limit your participation in virtual Foundation programming or travel to the U.S. for in-person programming (if any).

FAQs

For more information about the Obama Foundation Leaders Europe program and answers to some of the most frequently asked questions, visit our FAQ page.

See Leaders Europe FAQs

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