Horn Center for Democracy Youth Leadership Programme 2026
Fully Funded Regional Leadership Program in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Open to Youth Leaders (18-35) from IGAD Member Countries
Quick Highlights
Particulars
Details
Programme Name
Youth Leadership for Democracy and Solidarity (YLDS) – Cohort I
Organization
Horn Center for Democracy (HCD)
Opportunity Type
Fellowship
Funding Type
Fully Funded
Eligible Applicants
Youth Leaders (18-35 years)
Eligible Countries
IGAD Member States
Location
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Duration
1 Week (October 11-18, 2026)
Number of Participants
15
Application Deadline
August 5, 2026
Status
Applications Open
Opportunity Overview
Particular
Details
Host Organization
Horn Center for Democracy (HCD)
Programme
Youth Leadership for Democracy and Solidarity (YLDS)
Programme Type
Leadership Development
Funding Category
Fully Funded
Eligible Applicants
Youth Leaders (18-35)
Location
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Application Mode
Online
About the Organization
The Horn Center for Democracy (HCD) is a regional organization dedicated to strengthening democratic governance, civic engagement, and cross-border collaboration across the Horn of Africa. HCD works to build a new generation of democratic leaders capable of addressing governance challenges across the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) region.
About the Programme
The Youth Leadership for Democracy and Solidarity (YLDS) initiative forms part of HCD's long-term youth development strategy. The programme combines leadership development, civic education, mentorship, and regional networking to equip participants with the knowledge, practical skills, and professional connections needed to advance democracy and social change.
Programme Benefits
Benefit
Details
Fully Funded
All costs covered
Residential Training
1 week in Addis Ababa
Hybrid Learning
Online sessions before and after
Expert Workshops
Led by regional experts
Peer Learning
Cross-border dialogue
Innovation Labs
Collaborative problem-solving
Mentorship
Long-term guidance
Alumni Network
YLDS alumni community
Training Themes
Theme
Details
Regional Political Dynamics
Democratization in the Horn of Africa
Leadership Development
Emotional intelligence
Conflict-Sensitive Leadership
Civic engagement
Youth & Women's Participation
Democratic transformation
Digital Advocacy
Civic action
Cross-Border Cooperation
Regional solidarity
Grassroots Innovation
Democratic innovation
Project Design
Collaborative action planning
Eligibility Criteria
Requirement
Details
Citizenship
IGAD member country citizen
Age
18 to 35 years
Leadership
Demonstrated leadership potential
Values
Commitment to democratic values
Approach
Non-violent political dialogue
Experience
Civic engagement, youth leadership, advocacy, community organizing, social innovation, activism, or policy engagement
Collaboration
Willingness to work across borders
Commitment
Full participation in online and in-person activities
The Horn Center for Democracy Youth Leadership Programme offers a unique opportunity for young leaders from the IGAD region to develop democratic governance skills and build cross-border networks. The fully funded residential program in Addis Ababa provides intensive training on regional political dynamics, leadership, and civic engagement. The application requires a 3-5 minute YouTube video, allowing applicants to showcase their work and leadership experience. Competition is expected to be high for the 15 spots. Early application is recommended.
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