Young Aspirants Leadership Fellowship

Run Win Impact

About YALF

YALF is Nigeria’s first youth preparatory program designed to build the capacity of youth to run for political office. It is an initiative of Youngstars Foundation first implemented in 2013 and 2014, funded by UNDP DGD II. The second edition was implemented in 2017 -2019 with funding from Ford Foundation and 23 participants of YALF won elective positions in 5 State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria.

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YALF Project / Program Overview

Why Youth Aspirants and Candidates Need YALF Program

During YALF Seasons 1 and 2 Post-Election Retreats in 2015 and 2019, majority of the participants including female candidates reported that inadequate preparation/knowledge/capacity and skills on how to run for office was a major factor that negatively affected their chances of successfully running for political office at the different levels. Meanwhile, the 23 YALF participants who won elective offices also confirmed that the YALF program contributed to the success of their elections.

Why More Youth Must Run for Office in 2023

Nigeria’s political leadership and structure have been configured to shut-out young people and women in spite of the huge demography of these segments of our population. They older generation and leadership of the political party have also not done enough to widen the political space and foster inclusiveness, thereby denying the nation the vibrant participation and ideas of bright young leaders in the corridors of power. Youth voice and influence is nearly absence and minimal in governance, policy and development. As such, government development programs are not really addressing youth needs and concerns because of the low youth representation. Economic conditions of the youth are worsening with unemployment reaching 33%, tertiary institutions remaining closed for over a year due to unresolved industrial strikes, insecurity is on the rise and young people are dissatisfied with governance and losing faith in democracy! The #ENDSARS Protest in October 2020 was a very clear demonstration of the level of dissatisfaction and frustration of the Nigerian youth. As the world advances in the 4th industrial revolution that is driven by technology, economic diversification, new forms of wealth creation and political reforms, among others, Nigeria needs to see more young leaders in political offices who can bring to bear fresh ideas, the energies and urgency required to deliver good governance and democracy dividends to Nigerians. This is why youth must run for office and YALF is here to provide capacity and technical support.

Young Aspirants Leadership Fellowship (YALF)

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YALF 2023 will be Virtual and Physical, and Offers 2 Levels

Level 1: Goal – Winning Party Primaries

Modules
  • Understanding the different aspects of the electoral processes
  • How to design and set up a political campaign
  • Youth Emergence as winners of Elective Positions in 2019 Elections.
  • Building support base in political party
  • Communication and Mobilization
  • Raising funds to secure interest and nomination form
  • Participating and winning party primaries, among others.
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Level 2: Goal – Winning General Elections in 2023
Modules
  • Protecting your mandate after party primaries
  • Sustaining strong political campaign office
  • Political campaign fundraising
  • Effective communication and community mobilization
  • Safety, security and legalities
  • Running for office and winning, and lots more!!

Special Highlights

  • Protecting your mandate after party primaries
  • Sustaining strong political campaign office
  • Political campaign fundraising
  • Effective communication and community mobilization
  • Safety, security and legalities
  • Running for office and winning, and lots more!!
Registration Details
Level One
  1. 6 Free Virtual Sessions Starting April 2022
  2. Two (2) Days YALF Physical Bootcamp - May 2022, Abuja
  3. To secure a slot at the YALF trainings starting April 2022
  4. Register today at https://forms.gle/tN7tNRWKit9vnmwq7
  5. For further information contact: 07035535876
  6. Email us at yalf@youngstarsfoundation.org or engage@youngstarsfoundation.org

Latest News

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Apply for Female & More Season 2

Registration for Female And More Online Season 2 has started for thousands of females aged 18 and above to participate in the 30 days’ self esteem module and SDG leadership challenge !

Click here to apply
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9 YALF Trainees emerge winners

YALF is a dynamic youth preparatory program designed to increase the capacity, participation and space for youth emergence in elective positions in the 2019 general elections in Nigeria.

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Season 1 Winners Unveiled

Meet the 3 youth innovators who emerged as winners in the just concluded 3 weeks exciting innovative challenge! Andrew who came first took home a $500 seed grant to scale his idea to the next level!

Click here to read more