News

CWEIC is pleased to share and support that the Ben Delo Commonwealth Leadership Programme at King’s College London has been extended through 2025 and 2026, ensuring continued access to vital leadership development for civil servants across the Commonwealth, British Overseas Territories, and Hong Kong SAR.

Funded by British philanthropist Ben Delo, the programme provides scholarships for civil servants to access King’s innovative online short courses at postgraduate level, equipping public officials with the tools to tackle some of the most pressing governance challenges of the 21st century. With themes spanning policy evaluation, anti-corruption, artificial intelligence in public policy, participatory governance, ethics, and leadership, the programme strengthens institutions across the Commonwealth through practical, applied learning.

Since commencing in Spring 2023, King’s has welcomed over 170 nominations, resulting in 138 offers of study and 117 participants from 20 Commonwealth member states joining the programme.

Professor Michael Sanders, Director of the School for Government, emphasised that the programme is designed to build both rigour and relevance: “As a former official who has worked closely with government throughout my career, I understand as well as anyone the need for the training and education that public servants receive to promote rigorous analysis in government, while relating closely to the real-world challenges that governments face the world over.”

Ben Delo, whose philanthropy makes the programme possible, added: “The Commonwealth represents a unique community of nations, and the strength of that community lies in its people. By extending this programme, I hope we can continue to support the next generation of public service leaders, giving them the skills and confidence to deliver accountable, effective, and innovative governance for their citizens.”

For the Commonwealth, this initiative represents an important opportunity to deepen institutional capacity, support transparent policymaking, and build trust between governments and citizens. With 60% of the Commonwealth’s 2.7 billion citizens under the age of 30, the demand for effective governance and responsive public services is only set to grow. The scholarships will enable civil servants to enhance their skills without leaving the workplace, fostering a new generation of Commonwealth leaders able to deliver accountability, integrity, and innovation in public service.

The courses are designed to be flexible and interactive, combining master’s-level rigour with live webinars and peer-to-peer exchange. Civil servants who complete the programme will not only receive a King’s College London certificate but also earn academic credits at master’s level, with the potential to build towards further qualifications.

CWEIC warmly welcomes the extension of this important initiative and encourages Commonwealth governments to nominate civil servants for the programme. The programme presents an unique opportunity to invest in the next generation of policymakers and administrators, ensuring they are equipped to meet rising public expectations, manage limited resources effectively, and unlock new opportunities for inclusive growth and development.

Full details on eligibility and the scholarship process can be found at www.kcl.ac.uk/sfg/scholarships.