Operating since 1996, the CLEF programme provides bursaries along with psycho-social support to rural youth from South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania, Zanzibar and Kenya. The CLEF programme is linked to our Future Leaders key outcome which has a focus on unlocking talent and potential, with emphasis on enabling access to University and other tertiary training. It was born out of recognition by Community Leaders, that to truly break the cycle of poverty in rural Africa, the youth had to access tertiary level education in order to gain the skills to increase their employability. The programme assists young people who have displayed leadership potential to acquire education and skills that would not otherwise be available to them. We invest in youth from our partner communities, with the intent that they realize their potential, become “beacons of hope”, support the ongoing sustainable development of their communities and in some cases bring these specific skills back into their communities (e.g. nursing, teaching, engineering). This not only changes the lives of the graduates substantially, but the lives of their immediate and wider family, through the ripple effect felt by income generation within a family. Africa Foundation’s Community Leader’s Education Fund (CLEF) tertiary education bursary programme is not only a gateway to the dreams of young leaders within rural communities, it is also an initiative that brings value to generation on generation.
The Programme has a core focus around United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 – Quality Education. SDG 4 has a key focus on taking urgent action to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
CLEF Bursaries Issued
Postgraduate Bursaries
Participating Countries
Student Recipients
Pass Rate
The success of the CLEF programme lies in the strength of its carefully structured methodology.
Recipients receive partial funding towards their studies with advice on securing further financial aid e.g. government grants or corporate sponsorships.
Recipients are not restricted to a particular course of study or institution, they choose their own studies in an environment of their choice.
Support is given for just one year of study and then students must reapply. Renewal is dependent on their application to their studies.
Students have individual access to year-long psycho-social support including emergency crisis support, ongoing motivation and counselling.
Graduates have an annual award ceremony and workshop with previous graduates who share advice on post-university steps. They also do work readiness and a CV course.
In place of financial pay-back, students give back to their communities by doing community service, connecting gratitude with generosity.
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