The CIPE Youth Leadership Program is a five-month non-residential program that aims to increase the visibility of economic issues affecting youth as a critical piece to post-pandemic recovery and create a platform for young people to amplify their voices and ideas.

This program will focus on youth engagement with private enterprise and democracy, as well as challenges that disproportionately affect young people and proposed solutions. This event will serve as a venue for CIPE Youth Leaders to showcase the advocacy and research conducted during the program.

The theme of the Program

Youth Engagement with Private Enterprise and Democracy

Sub-themes:

Youth and Private Enterprise 

• How the COVID-19 pandemic has changed youth perspectives on their economic prospects and ability to access high-quality jobs. Also, how their societies should focus on rebuilding efforts.
• How young entrepreneurs have been successful, and best practices or innovative approaches they learned in the process.
• Challenges youth face or skills they lack when transitioning into the private sector for the first time, and helpful solutions they envision.
• Structural barriers preventing youth from participating in the labor market, and ideas to address these issues.

Youth and Democracy 

• What global and regional research and surveys conclude about how youth perceive the state of democracy and their level of trust in public and private institutions, and potential strategies to enhance trust.
• How – and how often – youth engage and advocate with their local or national government, business associations and chambers of commerce, or civil society organizations on policy issues that are important to them.
• Ways in which youth become educated about government and politics and engaged on specific policy issues, particularly as newly eligible voters.
• What new or improved advocacy methods youth are using to create change in their communities.

Stipend:

5 successful candidates of the CIPE Youth Leadership Program will receive up to $2,500 USD for completing all the required activities based on the extent of the proposed project and associated expenses.

Selection Criteria:

• Candidates must be between the ages of 18-25 at the time of application.
• Also, Preference will be given to individuals from non-OECD countries.
• Applicants must have:
  • Demonstrated interest or experience working on youth empowerment issues
  • Experience in one or more of the following areas: policy, activism, entrepreneurship, or research.
  • Ability to work independently with minimum supervision in collaboration with CIPE staff as well as other Youth Leaders
  • In addition, strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
  • Fluency in written as well as spoken English.
  • Strong presentation skills.
  • Moreover, access to a reliable computer and internet connection that enables video participation in virtual workshops or conferences.