The Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace Fellowship Program is a continental leadership initiative designed to develop a new generation of African peacebuilders. It focuses on equipping emerging leaders with practical skills in conflict transformation, dialogue, mediation, and social cohesion. The programme targets young professionals and changemakers committed to advancing peace and social justice across Africa. Since its inception in 2018, it has trained over 363 fellows from 17 African countries, many of whom now contribute to peacebuilding in civil society, government, academia, media, and faith-based organisations. Purpose of the Fellowship The COFP Fellowship aims to strengthen African-led solutions to conflict and instability by building the capacity of individuals who can actively promote peace in their communities. Key objectives include: Strengthening peacebuilding and conflict resolution skills Promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue Supporting community-based peace initiatives Building leadership capacity among emerging African leaders Creating a continental network of peace practitioners Programme Structure and Learning Approach The fellowship is designed as an immersive, practical, and experiential learning programme delivered over one year. It includes: Three intensive training modules held quarterly One-week in-person convenings in Abuja, Nigeria for each module Academic and practical instruction from experienced peacebuilding experts Field-based learning and applied peacebuilding projects Participants are expected to actively engage in discussions, collaborative learning, and community-focused initiatives throughout the programme. Peacebuilding Impact and Community Engagement A core feature of the fellowship is its emphasis on real-world impact. Each fellow is required to design and implement a community-based peacebuilding project. These projects aim to: Address local conflict dynamics Promote dialogue and reconciliation Strengthen community resilience Encourage inclusive participation in peace processes Fellows receive seed funding to support implementation, ensuring that learning is translated into measurable community impact. Certification and Professional Development At the end of the programme, participants receive recognised academic certification in: Interreligious Dialogue Conflict Transformation Mediation and Peacebuilding In addition, graduates automatically join the COFP Africa Network of Peacebuilders (CANEP), a professional community that supports ongoing collaboration, knowledge sharing, and regional peace initiatives. Eligibility and Target Participants The fellowship is open to a wide range of participants across Africa, including: Young professionals Academics and researchers Civil society actors Faith leaders Government officials NGO practitioners Community-based leaders Ideal candidates are individuals committed to: Peacebuilding and conflict resolution Social justice and community development Dialogue and reconciliation initiatives Leadership in fragile or diverse environments Application Process Participation in the fellowship is free of charge. However, selected fellows are responsible for their travel costs to Abuja, Nigeria for in-person training sessions. Applicants are required to: Complete an online application form Upload all required supporting documents Submit applications before the deadline Deadline All applications must be submitted by 10 May 2026 Only complete applications received on time will be considered Programme Benefits Selected fellows benefit from: High-quality peacebuilding training Practical leadership development Continental networking opportunities Seed funding for community projects Internationally recognised certification Long-term membership in a peacebuilder network Organisational Vision The Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace is committed to building sustainable peace across Africa through education, dialogue, and leadership development. The fellowship is designed and delivered by Africans for Africans, ensuring that solutions are rooted in local realities and cultural contexts. Summary The COFP Fellowship Program is a transformative leadership initiative that equips African changemakers with the skills and networks needed to promote peace and social cohesion. Through structured training, practical fieldwork, and continental collaboration, the programme supports the development of strong, locally grounded peacebuilders capable of addressing Africa’s most pressing social and political challenges. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this fellowship. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.