Young changemakers interested in advocacy, communications, social impact and digital storytelling can explore The 50 Percent Storytelling Fellowship 2026: Fully Funded 10-Week Online Programme for Young Changemakers, a free online programme designed to help young people develop the skills needed to communicate ideas and create compelling narratives.
The Storytelling Fellowship is an online, free, 10-week fellowship focused on communication, storytelling and advocacy.
Through guided discussions, mentorship and peer engagement, participants learn how to use their voices effectively while developing narratives that can contribute to advocacy and social impact.
The programme includes hands-on training in multimedia storytelling, including short-form video, blog writing and social media content.
Over the course of 10 weeks, participants progress through four phases covering foundations, narrative and identity, storytelling craft, and peer teaching and public impact.
Successful participants will produce original storytelling content, deliver a peer-led mini-lesson, and receive an official programme certificate after completing the fellowship.
Important Funding Clarification
Applicants should understand the distinction between a programme being free and being fully funded.
The official information describes The 50 Percent Storytelling Fellowship as a:
“Free 10-week fellowship.”
It does not state in the supplied information that fellows receive a stipend, salary, living allowance, internet allowance, equipment funding, or another financial award.
Because the fellowship is online, participants do not appear to need to travel to a physical programme location based on the information provided.
However, “fully funded” should not be interpreted as meaning that participants receive financial support.
The strongest accurate description supported by the official information is a free, 10-week online fellowship.
What Is The 50 Percent Storytelling Fellowship?
The Storytelling Fellowship is designed to empower young people to strengthen their advocacy and social-impact communication.
It recognizes that meaningful change depends not only on identifying problems but also on communicating those problems and potential solutions effectively.
Participants learn how to develop narratives that can engage communities, challenge assumptions, and encourage action.
The fellowship combines:
Guided discussions.
Mentorship.
Peer engagement.
Practical storytelling exercises.
Multimedia content creation.
Personal development.
Community building.
Rather than focusing only on theoretical communications concepts, the fellowship requires participants to produce their own storytelling content.
Who Is the Fellowship For?
The programme is designed for young people passionate about making a difference in the world.
The official description specifically mentions groups such as:
Climate activists
Social justice advocates
Members of social-impact networks
The programme welcomes people from diverse backgrounds who are eager to learn, share their experiences and grow within a supportive community.
Candidates do not necessarily need to identify with only one of these groups.
The broader focus is on young people who want to strengthen their voices and use storytelling to support positive social impact.
An Online Fellowship
The Storytelling Fellowship is delivered online.
This makes it potentially more accessible to participants who may not be able to relocate for an in-person fellowship.
Candidates can participate in training, discussions, mentorship and peer engagement through the programme’s online format.
However, applicants should check the current application form for any geographic, time-zone or connectivity requirements that may apply.
The supplied programme page does not explicitly confirm that every nationality worldwide is eligible.
Applicants should therefore avoid assuming universal eligibility unless the application materials confirm it.
Programme Duration
The fellowship runs for:
10 weeks.
During this period, fellows move through a structured learning journey consisting of four major phases.
These are:
Foundations
Narrative and Identity
Storytelling Craft
Peer Teaching and Public Impact
Each phase builds on the previous one, helping participants progress from understanding dialogue and narrative to creating and sharing their own multimedia stories.
Phase One: Foundations
The first phase focuses on building trust within the fellowship cohort.
Participants explore:
Dialogue practice
Active listening
Systems awareness
These foundations are important because effective storytelling requires more than speaking or writing well.
Storytellers also need to understand different perspectives, listen to other people’s experiences, and recognize how individual stories connect with wider systems.
The fellowship therefore begins by creating a foundation for thoughtful and responsible storytelling.
Active Listening
Active listening is particularly important for changemakers.
People working on climate, social justice, sustainability, and community issues frequently communicate with individuals who have different experiences and perspectives.
Strong storytelling should not simply impose one person’s assumptions on everyone else.
Learning to listen can help fellows understand the experiences, concerns, and ideas that should shape their narratives.
Systems Awareness
Participants are also introduced to systems awareness.
This can help fellows understand how individual challenges connect to wider social, environmental or institutional systems.
For changemakers, this perspective can be valuable because many social-impact issues cannot be explained through isolated events alone.
Stories can help audiences understand the connections between individual experiences and broader systems.
Phase Two: Narrative and Identity
The second phase focuses on:
Personal narrative
Identity
Belonging
Participants explore their own narratives and examine the assumptions and language that influence storytelling.
The fellowship specifically addresses how narratives can be reframed from “othering” into belonging.
This is especially relevant to advocacy and social-impact communications, where language can influence how audiences perceive different communities.
Understanding Personal Narrative
Personal stories can be powerful advocacy tools.
However, effective storytelling requires participants to understand how their own identity and experiences influence the stories they tell.
During this phase, fellows explore personal narrative and the assumptions underlying storytelling.
This can help participants become more intentional about the messages they create.
Moving From “Othering” to Belonging
The programme also explores how storytelling can either reinforce division or encourage belonging.
Participants examine language and assumptions that shape narratives.
This is particularly important when communicating about communities affected by social injustice or inequality.
Responsible storytelling should avoid reducing people to stereotypes or presenting them only through problems.
Phase Three: Storytelling Craft
The third phase moves into practical multimedia storytelling.
Participants will produce:
A short video
A blog post
A social media carousel
This gives fellows practical experience across several digital storytelling formats.
Training covers areas including:
Mobile filming
Editing
Social strategy
The programme states that this training is delivered by the Club of Rome’s communications team.
Short-Form Video Storytelling
Video has become one of the most influential communication formats across digital platforms.
Fellows will learn how to develop short-form video content using mobile devices.
The goal is not simply to create visually attractive videos.
Participants learn to use video as a storytelling tool capable of communicating ideas and encouraging engagement.
Blog Writing
Participants will also develop blog-writing skills.
Longer written content allows changemakers to explore ideas with greater depth than is often possible through short social-media posts.
Fellows will have opportunities to structure narratives, communicate arguments and present social-impact issues in an accessible format.
Social Media Carousels
The fellowship includes training in creating social media carousels.
Carousels can be effective for breaking complex information into clear visual sequences.
For advocacy campaigns, this format can help communicate statistics, explain social issues or guide audiences through a narrative.
Participants therefore gain experience creating content suited to contemporary digital platforms.
Mobile Filming and Editing
The programme includes practical training in mobile filming and editing.
This can be particularly valuable for young activists and changemakers who may not have access to expensive professional production equipment.
Learning how to create compelling content using accessible technology can make storytelling more practical and sustainable.
Social Strategy
Creating content is only one part of digital advocacy.
Participants also receive training related to social strategy.
Effective social-impact communication requires thinking about:
Audience.
Message.
Format.
Platform.
Engagement.
Storytelling goals.
This helps fellows consider not just what story they want to tell, but how that story can reach and resonate with the intended audience.
Phase Four: Peer Teaching and Public Impact
The fourth phase allows participants to put their learning into practice.
Fellows will deliver a peer-led mini-lesson to their cohort.
They will then apply the knowledge and skills developed throughout the programme to produce two final stories.
This phase combines communication, facilitation and practical storytelling.
Peer-Led Mini-Lesson
Every fellow will have an opportunity to deliver a mini-lesson to other participants.
This can help strengthen:
Confidence.
Presentation ability.
Facilitation skills.
Peer learning.
Teaching a concept can also deepen the participant’s own understanding.
The activity encourages fellows to contribute to the cohort rather than participating only as recipients of training.
Two Final Stories
By the end of the programme, each fellow will have the opportunity to publish two final stories.
Participants can choose their preferred storytelling format.
Available formats include:
A reel
A blog post
A social media carousel
This flexibility allows fellows to select the medium that best fits the story they want to tell.
Fellowship Themes
The programme focuses on four major themes:
Systems thinking
Sustainability
Social injustice and impact
Community mobilisation
These themes make the fellowship particularly relevant to young people working on social and environmental challenges.
Participants can learn how storytelling can support broader efforts to mobilize communities and advocate for change.
Systems Thinking
Systems thinking encourages participants to understand how different factors interact within complex challenges.
Instead of viewing social problems as isolated events, fellows can examine the structures and relationships influencing them.
Storytelling can then help make these complex systems easier for wider audiences to understand.
Sustainability
Sustainability is another core theme.
Young people working on climate action, environmental protection and sustainable development frequently need to communicate complex challenges to diverse audiences.
The fellowship can help participants develop narratives that make sustainability issues more understandable and engaging.
Social Injustice and Impact
The programme also focuses on social injustice and impact.
Advocacy around inequality and injustice requires careful communication.
Stories can amplify overlooked experiences, challenge harmful narratives and encourage audiences to consider different perspectives.
The fellowship’s focus on identity, belonging and narrative is particularly relevant to this work.
Community Mobilisation
Storytelling can also support community mobilisation.
People are often more likely to engage with an issue when they understand why it matters and how they can contribute.
Fellows can develop communication skills that help turn information into narratives capable of encouraging participation and collective action.
Communication and Advocacy Skills
One of the programme’s central goals is to develop essential communication and advocacy skills.
Participants learn alongside a network of other changemakers.
This creates opportunities to receive feedback, exchange perspectives and develop ideas collaboratively.
These skills can potentially support work across nonprofit organizations, advocacy movements, community organizations and social-impact initiatives.
Mentorship
Mentorship forms part of the fellowship experience.
Participants receive guidance while developing their storytelling and advocacy skills.
For emerging changemakers, mentorship can provide opportunities to receive constructive feedback and improve both ideas and communication techniques.
Peer Engagement
The fellowship also places significant emphasis on learning from other participants.
Peer engagement creates an environment where fellows can exchange ideas and understand perspectives different from their own.
This supports the programme’s focus on belonging, dialogue and community building.
Building a Network of Changemakers
Participants join a community of like-minded changemakers.
This network is one of the programme’s key outcomes.
Fellows can connect with young people working on areas including:
Climate action.
Social justice.
Sustainability.
Community mobilization.
Advocacy.
Social impact.
These relationships can continue to provide opportunities for learning and collaboration beyond the formal fellowship.
Programme Outcomes
By completing the fellowship, participants will have opportunities to produce tangible storytelling work.
Each fellow can:
Publish two final stories
Deliver a peer-led mini-lesson
Develop communication and advocacy skills
Strengthen multimedia storytelling abilities
Join a community of changemakers
These practical outcomes distinguish the fellowship from programmes based exclusively on lectures.
Certificate
Participants who successfully complete the course receive an:
Official programme certificate.
Applicants should note the wording “successfully completing the course.”
Receiving the certificate therefore depends on meeting the programme’s completion requirements.
The supplied information does not describe the certificate as an academic degree or formal professional qualification.
Young Person’s Guide to Storytelling
The programme page also provides access to a Young Person’s Guide to Storytelling.
The resource explores how young people can build stronger stories.
Topics include:
How misinformation spreads.
Why certain narratives gain power.
How young people can create better narratives.
Prospective applicants may find this resource useful for understanding the programme’s broader approach to storytelling.
Personal Growth
The fellowship is also presented as a journey focused on personal growth.
Developing a voice as a storyteller involves more than technical skills.
Participants explore identity, narrative and how they communicate their ideas to others.
The programme therefore combines practical media skills with personal development.
Is the Fellowship Free?
Yes.
The official programme page describes the fellowship as:
“An online, free, 10-week fellowship.”
It also lists a free 10-week fellowship among the programme’s benefits.
This means selected participants are not being charged a programme tuition fee according to the information supplied.
Is the Fellowship Fully Funded?
The official information supplied does not describe the fellowship as fully funded.
This distinction is important.
A free online programme means participants can access the fellowship without paying the programme fee.
A fully funded fellowship normally implies that additional costs or financial support are covered.
The supplied official page does not confirm:
A stipend.
Salary.
Internet allowance.
Equipment funding.
Travel support.
Accommodation.
Living expenses.
Cash grants for fellows.
Therefore, applicants should treat the opportunity as a free online fellowship, not as a fellowship offering confirmed financial support.
Does the Fellowship Provide a Stipend?
No stipend is mentioned in the supplied official programme information.
Applicants should therefore avoid relying on third-party claims suggesting that fellows receive a cash allowance.
If The 50 Percent later announces financial support for a particular cohort, candidates should verify it through the official programme information.
Is Travel Required?
The fellowship is described as online.
The supplied information does not identify an in-person residential component or travel requirement.
It also does not promise travel funding.
Candidates should check the application form and any participant guidance for cohort-specific requirements.
Age Requirements
The programme describes its participants as young people, but the supplied information does not state a specific minimum or maximum age.
Applicants should therefore not invent an age range.
Candidates should check the application form for any detailed age eligibility requirements.
Nationality Requirements
The supplied programme page does not specify a list of eligible nationalities.
It describes the fellowship broadly as being for young people passionate about making a difference.
However, this alone is not sufficient to confirm that every nationality worldwide is eligible.
Applicants should verify any geographic restrictions through the official application form.
Education Requirements
The supplied programme information does not identify a specific university degree requirement.
The fellowship appears focused on passion, engagement and willingness to learn rather than a particular academic discipline.
However, applicants should check the application form for any additional requirements.
Professional Experience
No specific number of years of professional experience is stated in the supplied information.
The programme welcomes young changemakers, including activists, social-justice advocates and members of social-impact networks.
Applicants should therefore not assume that several years of formal employment are required unless the application materials state otherwise.
How to Strengthen Your Application
Candidates should focus on demonstrating why storytelling matters to the change they want to create.
Applicants can explain the social or environmental issues they care about and how improved communication skills could strengthen their advocacy.
Strong applications can also demonstrate willingness to learn from others and contribute to a diverse peer community.
Candidates do not need to present themselves as professional filmmakers or communications experts unless the application specifically requires such experience.
How to Apply
The official Storytelling Fellowship page provides an Apply here link leading to the programme’s online application form.
Applicants should complete the official application form and provide all requested information accurately.
Before submitting, candidates should review their responses and make sure they clearly communicate their motivation for participating.
Applicants should also check the application form for any cohort-specific deadline or additional eligibility requirements.
Application Deadline
The supplied official programme page does not state an application deadline.
Candidates should therefore not publish or rely on an unverified closing date.
Applicants should check the official application form for the current deadline and whether applications remain open.
Important Details at a Glance
Programme: The 50 Percent Storytelling Fellowship
Format: Online
Duration: 10 weeks
Cost: Free
Focus: Storytelling, communication and advocacy
Core Themes: Systems thinking, sustainability, social injustice and impact, community mobilisation
Training: Short-form video, blog writing, social media content, mobile filming, editing and social strategy
Programme Structure: Four phases
Final Outputs: Two final stories and a peer-led mini-lesson
Certificate: Yes, upon successful completion
Stipend: Not stated
Travel Funding: Not stated
Application Deadline: Not stated in the supplied programme information
Application: Online application form
Who Should Consider Applying?
The programme may be particularly relevant to young people involved or interested in:
Climate activism.
Social justice.
Community leadership.
Sustainability.
Advocacy.
Digital communications.
Social impact.
Youth movements.
Community mobilisation.
Content creation.
Applicants should have an interest in using communication and storytelling to contribute to positive change.
Final Considerations
The 50 Percent Storytelling Fellowship 2026: Fully Funded 10-Week Online Programme for Young Changemakers provides an opportunity for emerging advocates and changemakers to strengthen their communication and storytelling capabilities.
The programme is officially described as a free, online, 10-week fellowship.
Participants move through four learning phases covering foundations, narrative and identity, storytelling craft, and peer teaching and public impact.
Practical training includes short-form video, blog writing, social media carousels, mobile filming, editing, and social strategy.
Fellows will have the opportunity to publish two final stories in a format of their choice and deliver a peer-led mini-lesson to the cohort.
Successful completion also leads to an official programme certificate.
The fellowship is particularly relevant to young people interested in climate action, sustainability, social justice, community mobilisation and wider social impact.
However, applicants should pay careful attention to the funding terminology.
The official information confirms that the fellowship is free, but it does not state that participants receive a stipend or other financial support.
For that reason, candidates should interpret the opportunity as a free online fellowship rather than a financially funded fellowship, unless additional official information confirms otherwise.
Prospective applicants should use the official application form to verify current cohort dates, the application deadline and any additional eligibility conditions before submitting their application.
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