Pernod Ricard Scholarship by One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town
Young leaders working on safer social spaces, alcohol harm reduction, and community inclusion now have a fully funded route to attend one of the world’s most influential youth leadership gatherings. Applications for the Pernod Ricard Scholarship 2026 are officially open, giving selected delegates the opportunity to join the One Young World Summit in Cape Town, South Africa later this year.
The scholarship is designed for emerging leaders, hospitality professionals, researchers, and social impact advocates actively tackling harmful alcohol consumption, social isolation, and unsafe social environments. Selected applicants will receive full funding to attend the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town from 3–6 November, including international flights, accommodation, meals, and Summit participation costs.
Why This Scholarship Stands Out?
Many international leadership programmes focus broadly on entrepreneurship or innovation, but the One Young World | Pernod Ricard Scholarship has a far more targeted mission. It is looking for young people already working to create healthier, safer, and more inclusive social environments in their communities.
That makes this opportunity particularly relevant for applicants involved in public health, hospitality management, nightlife safety, youth engagement, behavioural research, psychology, or community development initiatives. Instead of rewarding only academic excellence, the programme prioritizes practical social impact and real-world leadership.
The focus also reflects growing international concern around excessive alcohol consumption and rising social isolation among younger generations. Organisers want scholars who are actively building solutions rather than simply discussing the problem.
Full Funding Package for Selected Delegates
The Pernod Ricard Scholarship 2026 offers a genuinely comprehensive funding package that removes most of the financial barriers typically associated with international conferences and global networking events.
Selected scholars will receive:
- Full participation access to the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town
- Hotel accommodation between 2–6 November 2026
- Economy-class return airfare
- Daily meals throughout the Summit period
- Local transportation between accommodation and Summit venues
- Mentorship and consultation opportunities with Pernod Ricard professionals
- Access to post-Summit collaborative sessions on the future of socialising and moderation initiatives
For applicants from developing countries or grassroots organisations, the travel and accommodation support alone makes this programme significantly more accessible than many international leadership forums that still expect participants to self-finance attendance.
Who Has the Strongest Chance of Selection?
The organisers are intentionally keeping the eligibility broad to attract applicants from different sectors and professional backgrounds. Strong candidates may include bartenders promoting responsible drinking campaigns, researchers studying Gen Z social habits, founders building projects around inclusion and mental health, or hospitality professionals improving safety standards in nightlife environments.
Applicants involved in community projects aimed at reducing social harm, encouraging balanced lifestyles, improving psychological safety, or addressing loneliness among young adults are also likely to fit the programme’s priorities well.
Importantly, applicants must already be of legal drinking age in their country of residence at the time of application. Selected participants are also expected to engage in collaborative post-Summit discussions after the event concludes.
With only 10 young leaders expected to be selected globally, competition is likely to be intense despite the programme’s specialised focus.
Why the One Young World Summit Still Matters Internationally?
The One Young World Summit has evolved into one of the world’s most recognized international youth leadership platforms, bringing together delegates from more than 190 countries. Participants often include startup founders, policy advocates, NGO professionals, researchers, and corporate social impact leaders.
For scholarship recipients, the value extends well beyond attending a conference. The networking environment, mentorship access, and long-term visibility associated with One Young World frequently create future opportunities for partnerships, collaborations, and international recognition.
Applicants working in public health advocacy, social policy, responsible hospitality, or behavioral research may find the Summit especially valuable because of its interdisciplinary global audience.
Application Expectations and Deadline
Applicants should expect the selection process to focus heavily on demonstrated impact, leadership potential, and measurable contributions within their communities or professional sectors. Strong applications will likely explain specific initiatives, behavioral outcomes, research findings, or community engagement efforts rather than relying on broad motivational statements.
Those applying from research backgrounds should clearly explain how their work contributes to understanding social behaviour, moderation, inclusion, or community wellbeing among younger populations.
The last date to apply for the Pernod Ricard Scholarship 2026 is 14 July 2026.
At a time when many international leadership programmes are becoming increasingly generic in their messaging, this scholarship stands out because of its direct engagement with difficult social issues that affect communities worldwide. For applicants already working in this space, the programme offers not only funding to attend a major global summit, but also a rare chance to influence wider conversations around safer and more inclusive social experiences.