Theme: Igniting the Potential of Africa's Youthful Population: Reinstating Education as an Eminent Public Good

Date: 4th-8th November 2024 

Since 2017, the YouLead Summit has been jointly annually convened by the East African Community (EAC), MS Training Centre for Development Cooperation (MSTCDC) and other partners through their youth engagement initiatives –the EAC Youth Ambassadors Platform and YouLead Africa – Africa Youth Leadership Program respectively. H.E. Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, former President of Tanzania is YouLead Africa’s current Patron.

The YouLead Summit 2024 theme holds the prospects to bring together young people in the African continent, youth-led and youth serving organizations, governments, development partners and relevant stakeholders to deliberate on the state of affairs of African education and its relevance. The theme will draw nexus to latest trends linked to its signature Forums to examine emerging issues related to socioeconomic development, evaluation of traditional practices and leveraging on traditional/Pan-African knowledge to stimulate home-grown solutions. 

The outcomes of the Summit will serve as an invaluable resource for key actors as they consider the structure of Africa’s curricula, development plans, and major education concerns that affect the continent. These will include methodologies, motivation, literacy, and professional development for the young population on the African continent.  

Application Process:

1. All applications must be made and submitted via the YouLead Portal.
2. Please note that once you are admitted, you will receive instructions on how to pay the required 100 USD participation fee. 
3. Please note that this fee is non-refundable. 
4. Please note that admission is only complete once proof of payment has been received.
5. Please note that we do not offer sponsorship to participate in YouLead Summit 2024. By selecting physical participation, you are expected to cover your travel, accommodation, and other related expenses. YouLead will offer only lunch and tea breaks for the duration of the Summit.  

Application Deadline: The deadline for submitting applications is 10th October 2024.   

Inquiries and Assistance: For any inquiries or assistance during the application process, please contact [email protected]  

Introduction:  The EAC Youth Fellowship is a prestigious initiative designed to engage and empower young people in regional integration and leadership within the East African Community (EAC). This fellowship aims to harness youth's potential and promote their active participation in shaping the region's future. By offering mentorship, capacity-building activities, and networking opportunities, the EAC Youth Fellowship seeks to nurture the next generation of leaders committed to regional cooperation and development.  The following organizations have collaborated in the design of the fellowship: MS TCDC through its Africa Youth Leadership Program (You Lead Africa), The East Africa Community Secretariat, the Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete Foundation whose founder is also the YouLead Africa patron, the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre (JNLC) and the Emerging Leaders Foundation.    The fellowship will be focusing on two thematic areas;   Youth in Politics:  How youth leadership in public sector governance can be re-invented and entrenched  Youth in Business: to enhance opportunities for young people to do business and to create a “youth-friendly business environment” including policies that are friendly to young business people.    Eligibility Criteria:  To be eligible for the EAC Youth Fellowship, applicants must meet the following criteria:  The applicant should be between 18-35 years old.  Applicant must be a citizen of the East African Community Partner State at the time of application and must be resident in one of the EAC partner states.  Applicant to have a minimum educational qualification of a bachelor's degree   Applicant must demonstrate capabilities and or understanding of regional integration, leadership, business, economic governance or relevant fields.  Application Deadline: The deadline for submitting applications is 30th August 2024  Method of Application: Please submit your application online through the YouLead Africa portal.   Inquiries and Assistance: For any inquiries or assistance during the application process, please contact us at [email protected]   Fellowship Benefits:    Selected fellows will receive the following benefits:  Mentorship Opportunities: Fellows will engage with experienced mentors who will provide guidance, support and apprenticeship throughout the fellowship.  Regional Networks: Fellows will gain access to a wide network of professionals, policymakers, and fellow youth leaders from across the EAC region.  Capacity-Building Activities: Fellows will participate in workshops, training sessions, and seminars focused on enhancing leadership skills, policy understanding, and regional integration knowledge.  Financial Support: Fellows may receive a stipend or allowances to cover their expenses during the fellowship period, the details of which will be communicated to successful applicants.      We appreciate your interest in the EAC Youth Fellowship and your commitment to regional integration and youth leadership. We encourage all eligible candidates to submit their applications before the deadline. Remember to carefully review and follow the application instructions provided. We look forward to receiving your applications and wish you the best of luck in the selection process.