The Network of Youth for Sustainable Initiative (NGYouthSDGs) has opened applications for its Youth Activators Lab (YAL) 2026 cohort. This flagship initiative offers Nigerian young people the chance to enhance their leadership capabilities, amplify their impact, and lead systemic transformation aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Read more about Opportunities
About the Program
- YAL operates as a six-month incubator focused on leadership development and systems‑thinking.
- The program evolved from the earlier NGYouthSDGs Champions Programme, enhanced to become a stronger platform for youth-driven transformation.
- Fellows (referred to as associates) receive support to develop and execute campaigns, interact with policy decision-makers, and implement SDG‑focused initiatives within their local areas.
Program Highlights & Opportunities
- Skills Development: Virtual monthly sessions covering systems thinking, advocacy strategies, stakeholder engagement, resource mobilization, project management, and additional competencies.
- Mentorship Support: Fellows receive guidance from experienced mentors, including internationally recognized change agents.
- Collaborative Program Development: Associates work alongside NGYouthSDGs to co-design programs and execute community-based campaigns or initiatives.
- Funding Competition: Participants present their project proposals in a pitch competition for financial support, transforming concepts into tangible interventions.
- Professional Connections: Opportunity to engage with fellow young leaders nationwide and potentially serve as NGYouthSDGs representatives at prestigious events.
- Program Completion: Participants earn certificates and participate in a graduation ceremony upon completion.
- Ongoing Community: Graduates join NGYouthSDGs’s extended alumni network, ensuring continued access to resources, mentorship, and future prospects.
Sign up for the Connect Nigeria daily newsletter
Eligibility Criteria
- Age Range: Between 18 and 29 years old.
- Residency: Currently living in Nigeria with plans to remain throughout the program period.
- Time Commitment: Able to dedicate 8–10 hours monthly across the six-month duration.
- Commitment to Impact: Proven or authentic interest in youth empowerment, SDGs, social transformation, or grassroots activism.
Register to attend the CN Business Mixer
Reasons to Participate
- Master essential leadership competencies and learn systems thinking approaches that address root causes rather than surface-level issues.
- Acquire practical experience in planning and implementing community initiatives and campaigns.
- Strengthen your professional credentials through mentorship, recommendation letters, and program certification.
- Grow your professional network by connecting with fellow young changemakers and accessing resources for scaling your work.
- Make tangible contributions toward SDG achievement in Nigeria, particularly in youth advocacy, policy influence, and systemic reform.
Submission Deadline: November 21, 2025. Click HEREÂ to apply.
Got something you want to read about on our platform? Contact us: [email protected]