beVisioneers: The Mercedes-Benz Fellowship 2026 – Funding Opportunity for African NGOs

The beVisioneers: The Mercedes-Benz Fellowship 2026 funding opportunity is a fully funded, year-long programme supporting young people who are developing solutions to environmental and climate-related challenges.

Although the fellowship is awarded to individuals rather than organisations, it is highly relevant to African NGOs, youth-led organisations, and nonprofit programmes that work with emerging environmental innovators.

For the 2026 intake, the fellowship is expanding its footprint across Africa, offering a structured mix of monthly financial support, venture development coaching, and access to a global sustainability network. Importantly, applicants do not need to have a registered organisation or company at the time of application.

The application deadline is 26 January 2026 (some regions close on 25 January due to time-zone differences). As selection is competitive and places are limited, eligible applicants and the NGOs supporting them are encouraged to prepare well in advance.

Grant Overview

The beVisioneers: The Mercedes-Benz Fellowship is funded by Mercedes-Benz and implemented by The DO School, an international organisation with long-standing experience in leadership development and social innovation.

Launched in 2023, the fellowship forms part of a global commitment to equip young leaders with the skills, confidence, and resources required to address environmental degradation, climate change, and sustainability challenges. The programme aims to support 10,000 fellows globally by 2030, with Africa identified as a priority region.

Unlike conventional project grants, beVisioneers focuses on developing the individual alongside the idea. Fellows follow a structured 12-month learning journey that combines leadership training, venture development, mentoring, and peer learning. Funding is designed to remove financial barriers to participation, while post-programme scholarships support the further development of promising solutions.

For African NGOs, the fellowship can complement existing programmes by:

• Supporting youth leaders already embedded in community or NGO initiatives
• Strengthening internal talent pipelines in climate and environmental work
• Linking local innovations to international expertise and networks

Key Grant Details

• Grant name: beVisioneers: The Mercedes-Benz Fellowship 2026
• Funder: Mercedes-Benz
• Implementing organisation: The DO School
• Funding type: Fellowship with stipend and post-programme project scholarships
• Financial support:
  • Needs-based monthly participation stipend (approximately USD 541 or local equivalent, adjusted for purchasing power)
  • Project scholarships of up to EUR 20,000 following completion of the fellowship year
• Eligible applicants: Individuals aged 16–28
• Eligible African countries (2026):
  • Kenya
  • Nigeria
  • Rwanda
  • South Africa
  • Tanzania
  • Uganda
  • Zimbabwe
• Programme duration: 12 months (average commitment of 24 hours per month)
• Application deadline: 26 January 2026

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

While funding is awarded to individuals, many successful applicants are founders, staff members, fellows, or volunteers working within NGOs or nonprofit initiatives.

Eligible Applicant Profiles

Applicants must:

• Be aged 16 to 28 years at the time of application
• Demonstrate a clear commitment to addressing an environmental or sustainability challenge
• Have working proficiency in English (minimum B1 level)
• Be available to participate consistently throughout the 12-month programme

The fellowship welcomes:

• Early-stage ideas and concepts
• Prototype-level innovations
• Informal or community-based initiatives
• Youth-led projects hosted within NGOs or social programmes

An existing registered organisation or company is not required.

Organisational Context

• Applicants may be employed by or affiliated with NGOs
• NGOs may informally support participation (for example, through flexible schedules or hosting pilots)
• No formal organisational endorsement is mandatory

Geographic Scope

Applicants must reside in one of the eligible African countries and remain based locally for the duration of the fellowship.

What the Grant Supports

The beVisioneers: The Mercedes-Benz Fellowship funding opportunity supports environmental solutions at early to growth stages by combining personal financial support with structured capacity building.

Environmental Focus Areas

Supported initiatives commonly address:

• Climate change mitigation and adaptation
• Waste reduction and circular economy approaches
• Sustainable agriculture and food systems
• Clean energy access and energy efficiency
• Water conservation and ecosystem protection
• Community-driven and nature-based solutions

Projects may operate at community, national, or regional levels.

Types of Support Provided

Fellows typically receive:

• Monthly stipends to reduce financial barriers to participation
• Logistical support for internet access, local travel, and basic equipment
• A structured innovation and leadership curriculum
• Venture coaching focused on testing and refining solutions
• One-to-one mentoring from experienced professionals
• Peer learning within a global cohort of fellows
• Eligibility to apply for project scholarships of up to EUR 20,000 after Year One

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted directly through the official beVisioneers application platform. NGOs may support applicants with preparation and planning but should not submit applications on their behalf unless explicitly permitted.

High-Level Application Steps

1. Register on the official beVisioneers application portal
2. Complete the written application, including a short description of the environmental idea
3. Submit a recorded three-minute video interview
4. Complete the optional financial support section, if applicable

Application Stages

• Eligibility screening
• Review of written and video submissions
• Final selection and cohort confirmation

Applicants should rely solely on official programme guidance and submit all materials before the published deadline.

Authoritative source:
Applicants should consult the official beVisioneers Fellowship website and application portal for the most current and accurate information.

Important Notes

• FundingOpportunitis.com is an independent information platform and does not administer this fellowship.
• Applicants should independently verify all details through official beVisioneers channels before applying.
• Funding amounts, timelines, and eligibility criteria may change at the discretion of the funder.
• NGOs supporting applicants should ensure participation aligns with internal policies and capacity.

There are no application or participation fees associated with this fellowship.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is the beVisioneers Fellowship a grant for NGOs?

No. The fellowship funds individuals, although many fellows are linked to NGOs or nonprofit initiatives.

Can NGO staff or volunteers apply?

Yes, provided they meet the age, residency, and availability requirements.

Do applicants need a registered organisation or company?

No. Early-stage and informal initiatives are eligible.

What is the application deadline for 2026?

The deadline is 26 January 2026 (25 January in some regions due to time zones).

What happens after the 12-month fellowship?

Eligible fellows may apply for project scholarships of up to EUR 20,000 to further develop or scale their innovation.

Need Help Applying for This Grant?

Organisations that support youth-led environmental initiatives may benefit from neutral grant advisory support, including:

• Eligibility and readiness assessments
• Application documentation reviews
• Compliance and risk checks
• Programme alignment guidance

FundingOpportunitis.com provides independent grant research and advisory support to African NGOs and nonprofit professionals.

Other Funding Opportunities

You may also wish to explore:

• Aidsfonds Paediatric HIV Call (2026–2028) Funding Opportunity for African NGOs
• 2026 ESTDEV Green & Digital Call – Funding Opportunity for African NGOs
• 2026 African Poetry Digital Humanities Grant – Call for Proposals for African NGOs and Research Institutions
• GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) Tanzania OP8 – Funding Opportunity for African NGOs
• Zambia O&M Water Grant: $500,000 Funding Opportunity for African NGOs
• IOM Youth-Led Climate Mobility Grant – $15,000 Funding Opportunity for African NGOs
• IKI Small Grants 2026: €200,000 Funding Opportunity for African NGOs

Conclusion

The beVisioneers: The Mercedes-Benz Fellowship 2026 funding opportunity offers a rare combination of financial support, structured mentorship, and global exposure for young environmental leaders across Africa. For NGOs working in climate action, sustainability, and youth development, the fellowship can meaningfully complement existing programmes by supporting individuals with strong ideas and long-term commitment.

Eligible applicants are encouraged to review the official guidelines carefully and submit their applications ahead of the 26 January 2026 deadline. NGOs may also consider sharing this opportunity within their networks or subscribing to funding alerts to stay informed about similar grants for NGOs in Africa.