NextWave Leadership Program 2025 for Emerging Leaders (up to $10,000)

The NextWave Leadership Program is Canary Impact’s youth-focused initiative, designed to support justice-involved leaders aged 18-25. This program addresses the unique challenges faced by young people disproportionately impacted by the criminal legal system, equipping them with the tools, mentorship, and community needed to transform their experiences into leadership and advocacy.

NextWave is more than a program—it’s a launchpad for a new generation of changemakers, ready to challenge systemic inequities and reshape the future. By providing these emerging leaders with the skills and resources to overcome barriers, Canary Impact inspires a movement of resilience, innovation, and transformation.

The Journey

The NextWave Leadership Program is rooted in the belief that young people with lived experience of the criminal legal system hold the power to create transformative change. Throughout the year, program participants are immersed in a nurturing environment of mentorship, training, and collaboration, unlocking their potential and preparing them to lead initiatives that challenge the status quo.

Guided by experienced mentors from the social justice community, program participants gain valuable insights into advocacy, justice reform, and leadership. They emerge as transformative leaders, ready to inspire change and create lasting impact in their communities.

Benefits of NextWave Leadership

• $10,000 Financial Investment: Each program participant receives a financial award to support their leadership journey, whether through education, advocacy, or community-focused initiatives.
• Comprehensive Leadership Development: Program participants engage in a structured curriculum that fosters personal growth, professional skills, and a deeper understanding of systemic reform.
• Cohort Connection: Participants join a vibrant community of peers, building a supportive network that encourages collaboration, shared learning, and collective action.
• Capacity Building for Long-Term Success: Training and mentorship empower participants with practical skills in effective communication, resilience, and leadership, preparing them to overcome systemic barriers and achieve meaningful change.

Check : African Liberty Writing Fellowship 2025/2026

Eligibility

• Be aged 18 to 25.
• Have a history of incarceration.
• Have an innovative idea that will lead to systemic change
• Reside in the U.S. and focus their work within U.S. communities.
• Propose work that excludes lobbying activities.
• Not have previously received Canary Impact’s 10-for-10 Program (formerly known as the Canary Impact Prize)

Join us on Telegram for more opportunities !