Applications are currently being accepted for LEAP Africa’s Social Innovators Programme 2024. In 2004, LEAP Africa recognized that while the media often highlighted negative stories of youth unrest and crime, the positive contributions of young Nigerians towards national development went unnoticed. This led to the inception of the Annual Nigerian Youth Leadership Awards (ANYLA), an event held in Lagos to celebrate these youth and their achievements. However, after approximately a decade, LEAP Africa observed that although there was a growing interest among Nigerian youth in social innovation, many lacked the necessary skills and support to establish sustainable initiatives that could drive transformation.
In response to this gap, in 2013, the programme was revamped into the Social Innovators Programme and Awards (SIPA), transitioning into a year-long fellowship aimed at empowering and equipping young changemakers with the skills and resources needed to establish enduring social enterprises.
The Social Innovators Programme recognizes and empowers young leaders by providing them with the essential skills and resources to establish sustainable social enterprises.
Eligibility Requirements:
Citizenship/Residency:
- Applicants must be citizens of an African nation or permanent residents of an African nation.
Geographic Focus:
- The current and future enterprises of applicants must be located in a local community within an African nation.
Leadership Experience:
- Applicants must have founded or co-founded a social venture(s) that has had at least one year of impact.
Age:
- Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old as of February 20th, 2023.
Language Proficiency:
- Fluency in English, in both verbal and written communication, is necessary. Applications must be completed in English.
Program Commitment:
- Applicants must be able to fully participate in the entire duration of the program from February 20th to October 26th, 2023. This may include in-person site visits in late June or early July, as well as up to 12 hours of virtual learning per month.
Program Components:
- The primary goal of the Social Innovators Programme is to bolster the capabilities, networks, and reputation of social innovators. This is accomplished through a variety of activities, including a five-day in-person workshop on enterprise sustainability, virtual coaching and networking calls, immersive one-on-one mentoring sessions, monthly virtual webinar sessions, and site visits.
- Attendance at all sessions is compulsory, with any exemptions requiring prior notification to the SIP team. Successful completion of these sessions is necessary for graduation from the fellowship.
Method of Application:
For further details and to apply,
Application Deadline: May 29, 2024.
