CEO Update: Q1, 2026

Operational highlights for Q1 

Your quarterly inside track on the work of the World Scout Foundation

As we begin this update, we do so against the backdrop of continued conflict in the Middle East. Our thoughts are with all those affected, and especially with Scouts and Scout leaders in the region whose lives and communities continue to be marked by uncertainty, loss, and disruption. In moments like these, the values of Scouting — peace, solidarity, and service — matter more than ever, reminding us of our shared responsibility to stand with young people and support hope where it is most fragile. 

We were recently offered a powerful perspective on the realities facing Scouts in the Lebanon through the reflections of Melissa El Feghali, a Scout Leader in Lebanon and Young BP Fellow. Her story reminds us that behind every crisis are young people striving to live Scouting’s values in the most challenging circumstances. It also reinforces why our responsibility must extend beyond moments of emergency — by investing in Scouting long before humanitarian crises arise, helping develop skills, local leadership, and hope that can endure through uncertainty. I encourage you to read Melissa’s reflections, as they powerfully illustrate both the need for solidarity today and the importance of sustained support for the future. 

We also heard from Colombian Scouts about the Es-Parce-Paz project, where Scouts like Natalia Prieto are being trained as mediators and peacebuilders, honing the skills they have developed in Scouting from a young age, including emotional well-being, active listening, nonviolent communication, and community reconciliation. Like Melissa, Natalia also underlines the long-term impact of investing in Scouting. 
 

King’s Appeal 

With long‑term perspectives like these in mind, the King’s Appeal has remained at the heart of our work over recent months, inspiring meaningful engagement across the BP Fellowship and beyond. This global campaign honours His Majesty’s nearly 50 years of service as Honorary Chairman of the World Scout Foundation, alongside the celebration of His 80th birthday, and reflects a shared belief in the power of Scouting to shape a more peaceful and inclusive world. 

The King’s Appeal will culminate in a deeply symbolic moment when we present the King’s Fund to His Majesty at the 78th BP Fellowship Gala Dinner in Stockholm on 9 May 2026. We're counting down the days till this special evening celebrating remarkable leadership, a legacy of service, and our collective commitment to Scouting’s future. As a BP Fellow, your leadership and generosity are central to this legacy. Through the King’s Appeal, your support helps sustain long‑term Scout projects worldwide focused on peacebuilding, community engagement, and transformative youth leadership, ensuring that young people can access Scouting and create positive change where it is needed most. My sincere thanks to all BP Fellows who have already pledged or contributed. 

Learn more about the King’s Appeal and how you can get involved today.

Our Baden-Powell Fellowship   

We began 2026 with a strong sense of momentum, as individual giving and BP Fellowship engagement continued to grow through the generosity and leadership of BP Fellows worldwide. 

In January, we were pleased to welcome eight new BP Fellows and to see further movement within the Honours Programme, reflecting ongoing commitment and deepening involvement across our global community. This momentum continued strongly in Sweden. 18 new BP Fellows have now joined in Sweden alone, bringing the total number of BP Fellows onboarded worldwide in the first quarter of 2026 to 35. I extend my sincere thanks to Thomas Frostberg, Stefan Mahlstein and all BP Fellows in the Swedish Chapter for their exceptional leadership and commitment in the lead‑up to our Stockholm gathering. 

Your support ensures continuity for the global development of Scouting through 2026, helping Scouting remain responsive and effective in challenging contexts. 

Founder’s Heritage 

The team organised a Planned Giving Webinar with the support of the US Chapter and expert inputs from senior representatives of Fiduciary Trust International in the USA. More information can be found at this link. If you are interested in learning more about legacy giving and the Founder’s Heritage, please contact Mischa Rychener. 

Institutional Giving 

Alongside individual philanthropy, we continued to advance partnerships that enable Scouting to deliver impact at scale. In February, colleagues from the World Scout Foundation and World Scout Bureau met with representatives of the Saudi Arabian Scout Association to progress planning for Messengers of Peace in 2026, strengthening shared commitment and long‑term collaboration. 

We also secured important multi‑year commitments in support of young people, including a renewed focus on programmes such as Ticket to Life in the Asia‑Pacific Region, and the launch of a new three‑year global partnership with Accenture, reinforcing confidence in Scouting’s ability to deliver meaningful, sustainable change. 

 78th BP Fellowship Event in Stockholm 

Preparations for the 78th BP Fellowship Event in Stockholm continued at pace, with 526 participants currently registered. We are delighted by the level of enthusiasm and look forward to welcoming BP Fellows, guests, and volunteers for what promises to be a memorable celebration of fellowship, impact, and shared purpose. A limited number of places remain available for guests at the Gala Dinner.

Chapter news 

Ahead of Founders Day, we joined Scouting leaders from across the United Kingdom to honour and thank UK Scout Members and volunteers for their incredible dedication. Every day, these inspiring volunteers champion youth leadership and help young people gain skills for life. This year’s National Scout Service of Celebration and Thanksgiving, held in the historic Westminster Abbey — where Robert Baden-Powell is memorialised — was a powerful reminder of the Scouting Movement’s enduring legacy and impact. We were delighted to connect with UK BP Fellows, including Craig Turpie, Graeme Popay, Rob Murray, and others whose ongoing commitment continues to strengthen and uplift World Scouting globally. 

In the months ahead, we look forward to engaging with BP Fellows through other key Chapter moments this year, including the Scouting America National Annual Meeting in May and the National Jamboree in July, where the Foundation will be present alongside the US Chapter. Felipe and Flor are eager to connect with you! 

In other news... 

Plans are underway for an Honours Programme Field Visit, likely in September. Further details, including a save‑the‑date, will be shared as soon as possible. 

We also finalised the recruitment of our new Senior Manager for Marketing and Fundraising Communications and welcomed Evan Dingle in February. Evan brings a wealth of experience in marketing and fundraising from both the corporate and public sector, is based in Switzerland, and was a Cub Scout in the USA in his youth!  

Finally, we continued to strengthen connections within our community. We have launched a dedicated LinkedIn group for Young BP Fellows, creating new opportunities for networking, peer connection, and engagement within this growing part of our Fellowship. 

Photo Credits: Melissa El Faghali, Perakan Pramuka Indonesia, Scouterna, Craig Turpie, World Scouting.