Pernod Ricard Scholarship: A Pathway for Young Leaders in Social Impact

The Pernod Ricard Scholarship, in partnership with One Young World, offers a significant opportunity for young leaders dedicated to creating positive social change. This scholarship specifically targets individuals working to reduce harmful alcohol consumption and foster safer, more inclusive social environments globally. By supporting 10 outstanding young changemakers, the program aims to amplify initiatives that promote responsible drinking, community well-being, and healthier social interactions. The selected scholars will receive full sponsorship to attend the One Young World Summit in Cape Town, South Africa, from November 3-6, 2026, providing a platform to connect, learn, and contribute to global conversations on social impact.

About the Pernod Ricard Scholarship Program

The Pernod Ricard Scholarship is a global initiative developed in collaboration with Pernod Ricard and the One Young World community. Its core mission is to empower young leaders who are tackling critical public health and social challenges, particularly the harmful use of alcohol and its broad impact on individuals and communities. The program seeks to support those creating safer social environments, raising awareness about responsible drinking, fostering community inclusion, and developing programs that combat isolation and social harm. It also encourages broader discussions about how people socialize, connect, and build healthy community spaces.

What the Scholarship Covers

Selected scholars will receive comprehensive funding to attend the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town. This financial coverage includes full access to the summit delegate program, travel costs as arranged by the program, accommodation during the summit, and entry to all official summit sessions. Beyond financial support, the scholarship offers valuable leadership development opportunities. Scholars will participate as part of the Pernod Ricard delegation, receive mentorship from global experts, gain opportunities to contribute to event programming, and engage in post-summit reflection and leadership sessions. This holistic approach ensures scholars can maximize their learning and networking potential.

Focus Areas for Scholarship Applicants

Applicants for the Pernod Ricard Scholarship must demonstrate active work in at least one of the following key areas. These focus areas are designed to align with the scholarship’s objectives of promoting social well-being and responsible practices.

Alcohol Harm Reduction

This area includes initiatives aimed at reducing excessive alcohol consumption, implementing responsible drinking campaigns, and developing public health awareness programs related to alcohol.

Social Inclusion & Safe Spaces

This category covers efforts to create inclusive social environments, reduce isolation among young people, and build community engagement initiatives that foster a sense of belonging.

Education & Prevention

This includes the development and delivery of alcohol education programs, youth awareness campaigns, and communication strategies focused on behavioral change.

Hospitality Sector Leadership

This area focuses on leadership within the hospitality industry, promoting responsible service in bars and restaurants, implementing alcohol moderation initiatives in nightlife settings, and ensuring customer safety and well-being.

Research & Policy

This involves conducting studies on youth social behavior, analyzing alcohol consumption trends, and contributing to public health and social impact research that can inform policy and practice.

Why This Scholarship is Important

Alcohol-related harm remains a significant global public health issue, contributing to millions of deaths annually and impacting communities worldwide. Simultaneously, rising social isolation among young people underscores the pressing need for safer, more inclusive, and more meaningful social spaces. This scholarship directly addresses these challenges by supporting young leaders who are actively working to promote healthier social behaviors, reduce alcohol-related harm, encourage moderation and balance, and build stronger, more connected communities. It provides a platform for these changemakers to share their work and gain further support.

Eligibility Criteria for Applicants

To be considered for the Pernod Ricard Scholarship, candidates must meet specific personal, professional, and commitment requirements. These criteria ensure that the scholarship supports individuals who are genuinely dedicated to making a difference in the specified focus areas.

Personal Requirements

Applicants must be of legal drinking age in their country, be recognized as young leaders actively working in relevant social impact fields, and demonstrate consistent involvement in meaningful initiatives.

Professional Requirements

Candidates should lead or significantly contribute to a project addressing alcohol harm reduction, social inclusion, community well-being, or responsible drinking education. They must also be able to show measurable or demonstrated impact from their work.

Commitment Requirements

Successful applicants must be available to attend the One Young World Summit in Cape Town in November 2026. They are also expected to participate in post-summit engagement activities and actively engage in leadership and mentorship sessions offered through the program.

Application Timeline and Deadline

The application period for the Pernod Ricard Scholarship 2026 opens on May 19, 2026, and closes on July 14, 2026. The summit itself is scheduled to take place from November 3-6, 2026, in Cape Town, South Africa. Prospective applicants should mark these dates carefully to ensure they submit their applications on time. The deadline for applications is July 14, 2026.

How to Apply

Interested candidates can find more information and submit their applications through the official One Young World website. A direct link to the application portal is provided for ease of access. It is recommended that applicants review all requirements and guidelines thoroughly before starting their application to ensure all necessary information is provided.