Who We Are Looking For

We invite applications from young and emerging leaders (ages 21–35) who:

• Demonstrate leadership potential through initiative and engagement (e.g. starting projects, leading initiatives, or contributing to civil society or politics).

• Have an interest in leadership within business, organizations, research/education, media, or politics.

• Come from diverse professional and academic backgrounds.

Alumni Network:

You will be invited into our exclusive alumni network of former participants, mentors and speakers from around Europe and the world. This will be an optional network of friends you can lean on for the next decades of your life, if you would like to remain a part of the fellowship. 

What We Offer:

The program is built around four core commitments:

• Equipping and training for impactful leadership

• Community and network-building across Europe

• Coaching, mentoring, and personal support

• Authentic leadership, where we seek to practice what we teach

Participants will:

• Learn and apply design thinking to address real societal challenges

• Develop skills in research, writing, and public communication

• Work throughout the year on a chosen societal issue, contributing toward a final output such as an op-ed, talk, or similar project

• Have the opportunity for selected work to contribute to the Zebr think tank

Each participant will be paired with a mentor for guidance and support throughout the program.

Program Structure:

The program runs from October 2026 to June 2027 and includes:

• Three in-person weekends

• Three online gatherings (via Zoom)

In-Person Weekends

• October 16-18 | Bergen, Norway
  Focus: Leading self to unleash creativity and innovation capability and leading others with responsibility, courage, integrity, and wisdom.

• January | Berlin, Germany or Oslo, Norway - date and place to be announced.
  Focus: Entrepreneurial leadership in civil society and business.

• April 30 - May 2 | Brussels, Belgium
  Focus: Leadership in society, public policy, and politics.

In addition, three digital gatherings will focus on faith and work and enhance the opportunity to fellowship with one another through the course of the program.

Between gatherings, participants will work on a practical project related to their chosen focus area.

Why Study Jesus’ Leadership?

Despite what one believes about Jesus, his example of innovative leadership is unique and universal. We will study key principles of Jesus’ teachings including: reconciliation, servant leadership, integrity, purpose, love, clarity, and freedom. His model remains highly relevant today.

Entrepreneurial Leadership for Today’s Challenges:

Entrepreneurship is usually defined as the creation of new products or services and as such is limited to the field of business. However, research is now increasingly showing that the entrepreneurial leadership style is relevant throughout society as a whole. In our course, we aim to empower young leaders aiming for careers in all sectors to develop a more entrepreneurial mindset.

As the world is facing unprecedented challenges such as the weakening of democratic institutions, migration, climate change, decreasing resources such as water and species of the world`s insects and animals, we believe the ability to enhance one´s entrepreneurial thinking is pivotal. The course aims to do just that.  

Learning Outcomes

The program is designed to develop competence in four key areas:

• 1. Entrepreneurial and Responsible Leadership

  • Learning from experienced leaders

  • Developing entrepreneurial thinking and initiative

  • Creating value—for society, organizations, and beyond

  • Taking responsibility and acting with purpose

• 2. Public Engagement and Societal Influence

  • Conducting research and contributing to public discourse

  • Writing and communicating for wider audiences

  • Engaging thoughtfully with current issues

  • Communicating complex topics with clarity and curiosity

• 3. Faith and Work

  • Understanding the relationship between faith, calling, and vocation

  • Reflecting on the meaning and purpose of work

  • Integrating faith perspectives into everyday leadership

• 4. Sustainable Leadership

  • Leading with integrity, character, and long-term perspective

  • Practicing responsibility toward others, society, and creation

Practical Information:

• The program is self-organized. Participants are responsible for:

  • Travel

  • Accommodation

  • Food

  We will recommend accommodation options and may offer simple hosting solutions where possible. Shared meals will be arranged during gatherings to foster community.

• Program Fee:

  • Students: €290 (excluding travel, accommodation, and food)

  • Professionals: €390 (excluding travel, accommodation, and food)

A Community of Practice:

At Zebr, we believe leadership is not only taught—it is lived. This program is an invitation into a community of learning, reflection, and practice, where participants grow both personally and professionally while building lasting relationships across Europe.

Number of participants: Space is limited to 15 spots only, and we encourage both women and men to apply. The number of applicants has been high in recent years, so we recommend that you take the time to write a complete application.

Application should include: Motivation for participation in the program, shed light on previous leadership experience from study, organisations, society, or business, what you as a leader have delivered and achieved and your aspirations for the future. Please also include date of birth, CV, and provide at least two references.

Send your application to linn@zebrinstitute.com

Deadline for applications: August 15th

Questions? Don’t hesitate to email us at linn@zebrinstitute.com.