Apply for YALI RLC East Africa Program – Cohorts 55 & 56

The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) was launched by the United States government as a signature effort to invest in the next generation of African leaders. The need to invest in grooming strong, results-oriented leaders comes out of the statistics: nearly 1 in 3 Africans are between the ages of 10 and 24, and approximately 60% of Africa’s total population is below the age of 35.

The YALI Regional Leadership Center East Africa, located at Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya serves 14 countries in East and Central Africa. The Center is overseen by Kenyatta University and is supported by a growing number of African and international partners.

The program’s emphasis is on interactive and experiential learning which fosters each participant’s ability to contribute both individually and in teams.

Tracks of Study

• Civic Leadership: Oriented to those who are or aspire to be civically engaged and serve the public through non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, or volunteerism.
• Public Management: Tailored to those who work or aspire to work in any level of government (including elected positions), regional organizations such as the African Union or the East Africa Community, international organizations such as the United Nations, or other publicly-minded organizations or think tanks.
• Business & Entrepreneurship: Focused on the range of emerging or aspiring entrepreneurs who hope to take on leadership roles within the private sector or build their own business ventures on the continent.

Benefits

• Some of the Center’s exclusive alumni-only opportunities include:
  • After the program, alumni are requested to take on a meaningful role in giving back and fulfilling a commitment to “pay it forward” in a variety of ways. By sharing with an individual, organization, or cause, alumni can perpetuate the skills, tools and knowledge from the Center to benefit others.
  • Volunteer Engagement — Serving as volunteers via country-based Alumni Chapters or as Country Liaisons, alumni can help to coordinate activities, host trainings, recruit prospective participants, review applications, and engage the community.
  • Transformation Fund — Applying for financial and non-financial resources that support collective action that help alumni to provide meaningful activities, trainings, events, workshops, and forums to their communities and countries.
  • Networking, Events & Continued Learning — Taking advantage of specialized networking occasions (e.g., with local investors, public officials, etc.), social events, continued educational opportunities such as monthly Learning Labs, and a platform to keep connected with fellow graduates.
• Engagement After the Program
  • One of the most important questions after the 4-week program is: what’s next? Alumni will have ongoing opportunities to connect, continue their learning, help to shape future cohorts of the program, and apply the lessons, tools, and techniques learned to benefit their communities.

Who should apply?

Competition for the YALI Regional Leadership Center East Africa is merit-based and open to young East African leaders who meet the following criteria:

• Are 18 to 35 years of age at the time of application submission,
• Are citizens and residents of one of the following countries: Burundi, Central African Republic. Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda,
• Are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.
• Are eligible to receive any necessary visa to Kenya, and
• Are proficient in reading, writing, listening and speaking English.

For more information, visit Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).