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Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI)

YALI Mandela Washington Fellowship 2019 for Young African Leaders (Fully Funded to the USA)

by OFA September 12, 2018

written by OFA

Application Deadline: October 10th 2018

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, begun in 2014, is the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) that empowers young people through academic coursework, leadership training, and networking. In 2019, the Fellowship will provide 700 outstanding young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa with the opportunity to hone their skills at a U.S. college or university with support for professional development after they return home.

The Fellows, who are between the ages of 25 and 35, have established records of accomplishment in promoting innovation and positive impact in their organizations, institutions, communities, and countries. In 2018, Fellows represented a diverse group of leaders from 48 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa. Twenty five Fellows identified as having a disability, and 51 percent of Fellows were women.Eligibility Requirements:Applicants will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Mandela Washington Fellowship is open to young African leaders who meet the following criteria:

Are between the ages of 25 and 35 at the time of application submission, although exceptional applicants ages 21-24 will be considered.
Are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
Are eligible to receive a United States J-1 visa.
Are not employees or immediate family members of employees of the U.S. Government (including a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, USAID, and other U.S. Government entities).
Are proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English. Applicants who are deaf should consult the Application Instructions for more information.
Are citizens and residents of one of the following countries: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Republic of the Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

U.S.-based activities

Leadership Institutes: Each Mandela Washington Fellow takes part in a six-week Leadership Institute at a U.S. college or university in one of three tracks: Business, Civic Engagement, or Public Management. The intensive model includes linkages between academic sessions, site visits, professional networking opportunities, leadership training, community service, and organized cultural activities.

Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit: Following the academic component of the Fellowship, the Fellows visit Washington, D.C., for a Summit featuring networking and panel discussions with U.S. leaders from the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

Professional Development Experience: Seventy selected Fellows remain in the United States to participate in a four-week Professional Development Experience with U.S. non-governmental organizations, private companies, and governmental agencies that relate to their professional interests and goals. The PDE is designed to give Fellows practical training and the opportunity to learn transferable skills, expand their professional networks, and apply concepts learned at their Institutes to real-world situations in the U.S. context.

Africa-based activities

Upon returning to their home countries, Fellows continue to build the skills they have developed during their time in the United States through support from U.S. embassies, four Regional Leadership Centers, the YALI Network, and customized programming from USAID, the Department of State, and affiliated partners. Through these experiences, select Mandela Washington Fellows have access to ongoing professional development opportunities, mentoring, networking and training, and support for their ideas, businesses, and organizations. Fellows may also apply for their American partners to travel to Africa to continue project-based collaboration through the Reciprocal Exchange Component.

Selection Criteria

Selection panels will use the following criteria to evaluate applications (not in order of importance):

A proven record of leadership and accomplishment in public service, business, or civic engagement.
A demonstrated commitment to public or community service, volunteerism, or mentorship.
The ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups and respect the opinions of others.
Strong social and communication skills.
An energetic, positive attitude.
Demonstrated knowledge of, interest in, and professional experience in the preferred sector/track.
A commitment to return to Africa and apply leadership skills and training to benefit the applicant’s country and/or community after they return home.

Timeline

September 12, 2018 | Application opens
October 10, 2018 | Application closes
December 2018 – February 2019 | Semifinalists interviewed by local U.S. embassies and consulates
Late March 2019 | Applicants are notified of their status
May 2019 | Visa processing and Pre-Departure Orientations for finalists
Mid-June 2019 | Fellowship begins in the United States

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the YALI Mandela Washington Fellowship 2019

September 12, 2018 16 comments

YALI Regional Leadership Center East Africa (Cohort 14 & 15) Leadership Program 2016, Nairobi Kenya (Fully Funded)

by OFA August 29, 2016

written by OFA

Application Deadline: September 12th, 2016 at 5:00 PM EAT.

The YALI Regional Leadership Center East Africa is looking for young men and women between the ages of 18 and 35 from Burundi, Central African Republic, Congo, DRC, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda who are ready to embrace leadership and work hard to transform their countries.

The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) was launched by President of the United States Barack Obama 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.

Located at Kenyatta University, in Nairobi, Kenya, the Center is more than a location for learning or a venue for collaboration; it is a philosophy, a forward-leaning culture of diversity that invites dreaming and thinking differently to define and realize one’s potential. The program is inclusive, embracing future leaders regardless of religion, ethnicity, socio-economic status, gender, or disability.

yali-east-africa-fellowship-2016

Eligibility:

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.

Study Tracks:

Business and Entrepreneurship
Civic Leadership
Public Management

Selection Criteria

Selection for participation in the YALI Regional Leadership Center East Africa will be conducted as a merit-based, open competition. All eligible applications will be reviewed by a selection panel. Chosen semi-finalists will then be interviewed before a final selection is made and an invitation to join the program is issued.

Selection panels will use the following criteria to evaluate applications:

A demonstrated leadership in public service, business and entrepreneurship, or civic engagement.
Active engagement in public or community service, volunteerism, or mentorship.
The ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups and respect the opinions of others.
Strong social and communication skills.
An energetic, positive attitude.
A demonstrated knowledge, interest, and professional experience in the sector/track selected, and
A commitment to apply leadership skills and training to benefit your country and/or community after the program.

Applicants will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, gender, religion, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender

Benefits:

The participants immerse themselves in a 12-week course of study, three weeks of residential learning on-site at the Center in Nairobi;
Eight weeks of virtual distance learning via technology from their home countries; and a final week on-site at the Center in Nairobi for wrap-up and presentations.
The Center benefits the participants by linking them to a network of other young leaders from East Africa empowering them by enhancing their skills and confidence to lead; providing guidance from some of the best business and leadership minds in Africa; and opportunities for internships, among other benefits.

Apply Now YALI Regional Leadership Center East Africa Cohort 14 & 15

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the YALI Regional Leadership Center East Africa Cohort 14 & 15

August 29, 2016 1 comment

Burundi Call for Applications Central African Republic Congo Brazaville Democratic Republic Of Congo Djibouti Eritrea Ethiopia Kenya Rwanda Somalia South Sudan Sudan Tanzania Uganda

YALI Regional Leadership Center East Africa (Cohort 10 & 11) Leadership Program 2016, Nairobi Kenya (Fully Funded)

by OFA May 4, 2016

written by OFA

Application Deadline: May 17th, 2016 at 5:00 PM EAT

Are you ready to embrace your inner leadership and change your community?
If so, don’t forget to apply for the eighth and ninth cohorts of the YALI Regional Leadership Center East Africa.

Eligibility:

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.

Study Tracks:

Business and Entrepreneurship
Civic Leadership
Public Management

Selection Criteria

Selection panels will use the following criteria to evaluate applications:

A demonstrated leadership in public service, business and entrepreneurship, or civic engagement.
Active engagement in public or community service, volunteerism, or mentorship.
The ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups and respect the opinions of others.
Strong social and communication skills.
An energetic, positive attitude.
A demonstrated knowledge, interest, and professional experience in the sector/track selected, and
A commitment to apply leadership skills and training to benefit your country and/or community after the program.

Applicants will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, gender, religion, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Benefits:

The participants immerse themselves in a 12-week course of study, three weeks of residential learning on-site at the Center in Nairobi;
Eight weeks of virtual distance learning via technology from their home countries; and a final week on-site at the Center in Nairobi for wrap-up and presentations.
The Center benefits the participants by linking them to a network of other young leaders from East Africa empowering them by enhancing their skills and confidence to lead; providing guidance from some of the best business and leadership minds in Africa; and opportunities for internships, among other benefits.

Apply Now YALI Regional Leadership Center East Africa Cohort 10 & 11

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the YALI Regional Leadership Center East Africa

May 4, 2016 5 comments

2016 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders (Fully Funded to Washington DC, USA)

by OFA October 1, 2015

written by OFA

Application Deadline: November 11th 2015

The Young African Leadership Initiative 2016 #YALI2016 = Six-week leadership and Mentoring Program plus a chance to interact with Pres. Barack #Obama.

The 2016 YALI Fellowship will train 1,000 young African leaders across three tracks, which include business and entrepreneurship, civic leadership and public management. The 2016 Mandela Washington Fellowship is a six-weeks in-depth academic and leadership training at 20 top American universities.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, begun in 2014, is the flagship program of President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) that empowers young people through academic coursework, leadership training, and networking. The Fellowship provides 1,000 outstanding young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa with the opportunity to hone their skills at a U.S. higher education institution with support for professional development after they return home.

In the summer of 2016, the Mandela Washington Fellowship will bring 1,000 young African leaders to the United States for academic coursework and leadership training and will create unique opportunities in Africa for Fellows to put new skills to practical use in leading organizations, communities, and countries.

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicants will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity. The Mandela Washington Fellowship is open to young African leaders who meet the following criteria:

Are between the ages of 25 and 35 at the time of application submission, although exceptional applicants younger than 25 will be considered.
Are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.
Are eligible to receive a United States J-1 visa.
Are proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English.
Are citizens and residents of one of the following countries: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Republic of the Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Individuals residing in Eritrea and Zimbabwe may not apply to the Public Management track. Residents of Sudan may only apply for the Civic Leadership track.

mandela-washington-fellowship-for-young-africans-leaders

Selection Criteria:

Selection panels will use the following criteria to evaluate applications (not in order of importance):

A proven record of leadership and accomplishment in public service, business and entrepreneurship, or civic engagement.
A demonstrated commitment to public or community service, volunteerism, or mentorship.
The ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups and respect the opinions of others.
Strong social and communication skills.
An energetic, positive attitude.
Demonstrated knowledge, interest and professional experience in the sector/track selected.
A commitment to return to Africa and apply leadership skills and training to benefit the applicant’s country and/or community after they return home.

mandela-washington-fellowship-2015

Selection Process

The Mandela Washington Fellowship is conducted as a merit-based open competition. After the deadline, all eligible applications will be reviewed by a selection panel.
Chosen semifinalists will be interviewed by the U.S. embassies or consulates in their home countries.
If selected for an interview, applicants must provide a copy of their passport (if available) or other government-issued photo identification to verify eligibility.

Application Timeline:

October 1, 2015: Application opens
November 11, 2015: Application closes
January-February 2016: Semifinalists interviewed by local U.S. Embassies and Consulates
March 2016: Applicants are notified of their status
April-May 2016: Visa processing for finalists
Mid-June 2016: Fellowship starts in the United States

P.S. If you are looking for more information about the 2016 Mandela Washington Fellowship application, stay tuned to the YALI Network Facebook page for more details on an upcoming #YALICHAT from October 7-9th.

Apply Now for the 2016 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the 2016 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders

October 1, 2015 7 comments

Fellowships

2015 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders (Fully Funded Fellowship, Washington USA)

by lanredahunsi October 7, 2014

written by lanredahunsi

Application Deadline: November 5 2014

Applications for the 2015 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders will open on October 7, 2014. The Mandela Washington Fellowship is the flagship program of President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). President Obama launched YALI in 2010 to support young African leaders as they spur growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across Africa.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship, which began in 2014, will bring 500 young leaders to the United States in 2015 for academic coursework and leadership training and will create unique opportunities in Africa for Fellows to put new skills to practical use in leading organizations, communities, and countries.

Eligibility Criteria

Competition for the Washington Fellowship is merit-based and open to young African leaders who meet the following criteria:

Are between the ages of 25 and 35 at the time of application submission, although exceptional applicants younger than 25 will be considered;
Are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S;
Are eligible to receive a United States J-1 visa;
Are proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English; and
Are citizens and residents of one of the following countries: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Republic of the Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

What are the criteria for selection?

Selection panels will use the following criteria to evaluate applications (not in order of importance):

A proven record of leadership and accomplishment in public service, business and entrepreneurship, or civic engagement.
A demonstrated commitment to public or community service, volunteerism, or mentorship.
The ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups and respect the opinions of others.
Strong social and communication skills.
An energetic, positive attitude.
Demonstrated knowledge, interest and professional experience in the sector/track selected.
A commitment to return to Africa and apply leadership skills and training to benefit the applicant’s country and/or community after they return home.

mandela-washington-fellowship

FINANCIAL PROVISIONS OF THE FELLOWSHIP
There is no fee to apply to the Washington Fellowship. If you are selected, the U.S. government will cover all participant costs.

Financial provisions provided by the U.S. Government will include:

J-1 visa support;
Round-trip travel from fellow’s home city to the U.S. and other required travel;
Customized academic and leadership institute;
Concluding Presidential Summit in Washington, DC;
Accident and sickness benefit plan;
Housing and meals; and
A potential eight-week internship at the conclusion of the academic and leadership institute (optional, and competitive for approximately 100 slots).

The Washington Fellowship includes:

A 6-week Academic and Leadership Institute: Fellows are placed at U.S. colleges and universities for academic institutes. Institutes will focus on skills development in one of three areas: Business and Entrepreneurship, Civic Leadership, or Public Management. Institutes will take place from mid-June to late July 2014.
A Summit with President Obama in Washington, DC: At the conclusion of the academic and leadership institute, all Fellows will participate in a Presidential Summit. The Summit will take place in late July 2014.
An optional 8-week U.S. Internship: As part of the Fellowship application, individuals may apply to receive practical training at a U.S. business, civil society organization, or public agency in the United States. Approximately 100 Washington Fellows will be selected for U.S.-based internships. The U.S. internships will take place in August and September 2014.
Activities in Africa: Fellows will have the opportunity for continued networking opportunities, ongoing professional development, access to seed funding, and community service activities upon their return home after the Fellowship.

Mandela Washington Fellowship Application Process Timeline

October 7, 2014	Application opens
November 5, 2014	Application deadline
January – February 2015	Semifinalists interviewed by local U.S. embassies and consulates
April 2015	Applicants are notified of their status
May 2015	Visa processing for finalists
Mid-to-late June 2015	Fellowship begins in the United States

Apply Now for the 2015 Mandela Washington Fellowship

Read the Mandela Fellowship Application Instructions

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders

October 7, 2014 1 comment