Call for Applications:UNFPA Youth Leaders (YoLe) Fellowship Program(Fully-funded)

Applications Now Open | Deadline: 18th April, 2025

Overview

The Youth Leaders (YoLe) Fellowship Programme is a flagship initiative of UNFPA Ghana designed to empower young, innovative change-makers between the ages of 18 and 30. Since 2018, the Fellowship has helped nurture future leaders by providing skills, mentorship, and exposure to leadership, innovation, and policy development.

The programme aligns with:

UNFPA’s mandate to ensure every young person’s potential is fulfilled
The United Nations Youth Strategy (2030) to increase global, regional, and local action to address the needs, build agency, and advance the rights of young people
Ghana’s National Youth Policy (2010 & 2022-2023)

The YoLe Fellowship Programme – Cohort 7 runs from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026.

Objectives

Build leadership, innovation, and employability skills among young people
Engage fellows in advancing UNFPA’s three transformative goals:
1. Zero preventable maternal mortality
2. Zero unmet need for family planning
3. Zero gender-based violence and harmful practices
Provide mentorship, job readiness, and social entrepreneurship support
Empower youth to be gender-sensitive and policy-aware changemakers

Programme Components

Training & Capacity Building
Topics include Leadership, Public Policy, Ethics, Proposal Writing, ICT, AI, Gender Equity, and the Future of Work
Mentorship
Fellows are paired with experienced professionals such as ambassadors, UN officials, and institutional leaders
Space to Incubate: The Orange Loft
A modern creative hub designed for training, collaboration, and innovation
Policy & Strategy Alignment
Exposure to national and international development strategies
Deployment & Internship
Practical placements within UNFPA units and external organizations including UN agencies, CSOs, and private sector partners

Fellowship Timeline

March – September: Applications, selection, onboarding
October – April: Foundational courses, innovation and leadership training, policy engagement
May – July: Practicum placements, field exposure across sectors
August – September: Experiential learning, public speaking, final reviews, and graduation

Cross-Cutting Activities:

Peer learning sessions and debates
Coaching by industry leaders
Thematic project presentations
Career development support

Eligibility Criteria

To apply, you must be:

Aged 18–30 years
A graduate of a tertiary institution in Ghana
Able to commit full-time to the one-year programme in Accra
Proficient in English
Passionate about leadership, peace, sustainable development, and innovation
Affiliated with or have experience in youth work, volunteerism, or development issues
From any background—young women, persons with disabilities, and marginalized youth are strongly encouraged to apply

Note: Fellows must remain in the programme for at least 9 months to qualify for certification.

Partner Institutions for Practicum Placements

UN & Multilaterals: UNFPA, UNDP, WHO, AfDB, IMF
Diplomatic Corps: British High Commission, Canadian Embassy, Dutch Embassy, etc.
Public Sector: Ministries of Health, Youth, Gender, Environment, National Peace Council
Private Sector: Banks, Telcos, Media, Agribusiness, Tech Startups
CSOs & NGOs: PPAG, Plan International, ActionAid, Youth Advocates Ghana