One Young World and Pernod Ricard have officially opened applications for the 2026 Pernod Ricard Scholarship, a global initiative designed to support young leaders working to address harmful alcohol consumption, social isolation, and unsafe social environments. The scholarship programme aims to identify emerging changemakers who are actively promoting safer, more inclusive, and balanced social experiences in their communities through advocacy, research, hospitality innovation, or community-based initiatives. Scholarship Supports Young Leaders Advancing Responsible Socialising According to the organisers, the scholarship focuses on promoting healthy social interactions and tackling the harmful effects associated with excessive alcohol consumption. The initiative aligns with Pernod Ricard’s responsible drinking campaign, “Drink More Water,” which encourages moderation and balanced social behaviour. The programme highlights growing global concerns related to: Harmful alcohol consumption Social isolation among young adults Unsafe social environments Anti-social behaviour at gatherings Mental and emotional wellbeing in social settings Organisers noted that more than 3 million deaths globally each year are linked to harmful alcohol use, while social isolation among young people continues to increase worldwide. Fully Funded Opportunity to Attend One Young World Summit 2026 The scholarship will provide 10 selected young leaders with full funding to participate in the One Young World Summit 2026 scheduled to take place in Cape Town, South Africa from 3 to 6 November 2026. Selected scholars will: Attend the international summit as members of Pernod Ricard’s delegation Participate in leadership and networking activities Engage in post-summit collective thinking sessions Receive mentorship and strategic support for their initiatives Contribute to discussions on the future of social interaction and responsible behaviour The programme is designed to connect youth leaders from different sectors who are working to improve social wellbeing and community safety. Focus Areas for Eligible Projects and Initiatives The scholarship is open to young individuals leading projects or research related to responsible social engagement and harm reduction. Relevant initiatives include: Programmes promoting moderation and balanced drinking habits Educational campaigns addressing excessive alcohol consumption Community projects tackling harmful drinking behaviours Initiatives improving physical and psychological safety in social spaces Programmes reducing social isolation and encouraging inclusion Research into Gen Z socialising trends and behavioural patterns Hospitality sector initiatives focused on responsible consumer engagement The organisers stated that applicants may come from diverse professional backgrounds, including hospitality, public health, social entrepreneurship, education, and research. Hospitality and Community Leaders Encouraged to Apply Pernod Ricard specifically encourages applications from individuals working in hospitality and nightlife industries. Eligible applicants may include: Bartenders Restaurant owners Bar managers Community organisers Researchers Social entrepreneurs Youth advocates The programme seeks candidates who are actively developing safer and more inclusive environments for social interaction. Eligibility Requirements for Applicants To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must meet several eligibility criteria. Applicants must: Be of legal drinking age in their country of residence Demonstrate active involvement in initiatives aligned with the scholarship goals Be available to participate in post-summit collaboration sessions Show leadership potential and measurable community impact The organisers emphasised that successful candidates will demonstrate a strong commitment to promoting balance, moderation, inclusion, and social responsibility. Global Initiative Addresses Social Isolation and Harm Reduction The scholarship responds to increasing concerns around loneliness, social exclusion, and harmful drinking patterns among young adults. According to the programme announcement: Up to one in four young adults globally experience feelings of isolation Harmful alcohol use remains a major public health issue worldwide Safer and more inclusive social spaces are increasingly necessary in modern societies The initiative aims to encourage positive social experiences while reducing risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption and exclusionary environments. Mentorship and Long-Term Collaboration Included Beyond summit participation, the scholarship includes structured mentorship and collaborative learning opportunities. Selected scholars will: Engage with global youth leadership networks Participate in strategy and reflection sessions after the summit Receive guidance to strengthen their initiatives Collaborate on ideas related to future social behaviours and responsible engagement Organisers stated that the scholarship is designed to create long-term impact through continued dialogue and leadership development. Application Timeline and Submission Deadline Applications for the Pernod Ricard Scholarship 2026 officially opened on 19 May 2026. Key deadline details include: Application opening date: 19 May 2026 Application deadline: 14 July 2026 Interested applicants are required to complete the online application process through the official One Young World platform. Building Safer and More Inclusive Social Futures The partnership between One Young World and Pernod Ricard reflects growing efforts to involve young leaders in addressing public health and social wellbeing challenges. By supporting innovative community initiatives and youth-led advocacy, the scholarship seeks to strengthen global conversations around responsible socialising, inclusion, moderation, and mental wellbeing. The programme also reinforces the role of youth leadership in shaping healthier and safer social environments worldwide. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.