KOICA Youth Leaders Program (2026–2027)

<p>The <strong>KOICA Youth Leaders Program (YLP) 2026–2027</strong> is one of the most comprehensive leadership, digital innovation, and capacity‑building programs available to young professionals across West Africa. Designed and implemented by the <strong>Institute for Global Social Responsibility (IGSR), Hallym University</strong>, in partnership with the <strong>Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)</strong>, this multi‑stage program equips emerging leaders with the skills, tools, and global exposure needed to drive socio‑economic transformation in their home countries.</p> <p><strong>Application Deadline: June 17th, 16:00 (Local Time)</strong> <strong>Submission: Official Email of the respective KOICA Country Office</strong></p> <div></div> <h2><strong>Program Overview</strong></h2> <p>The KOICA Youth Leaders Program is structured into <strong>three major stages</strong>, each designed to progressively build participants’ leadership, policy, and digital innovation capabilities.</p> <h3><strong>1. Stage 1 — Online Training (July 20–31, 2026)</strong></h3> <p>A joint foundational course for both public and private sector participants. Total participants: <strong>200 (100 public sector + 100 private sector)</strong> Each of the five participating countries—Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal—selects <strong>40 participants</strong> (20 public + 20 private).</p> <p>Key focus areas include:</p> <ul role="list"> <li>African youth leadership</li> <li>SDGs and development cooperation</li> <li>Generative AI tools</li> <li>Problem framing and design thinking</li> <li>Digital transformation and AI transformation</li> </ul> <p>Participants must attend at least <strong>60% of sessions</strong>, complete assignments, and submit a <strong>Country Report</strong> by July 17th.</p> <div></div> <h2><strong>2. Stage 2 — Local Training in Ghana (August 2026)</strong></h2> <p>Held at <strong>GIMPA (Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration)</strong> in Accra.</p> <h3><strong>Public Sector Training (August 2–15, 2026)</strong></h3> <p>Designed for:</p> <ul role="list"> <li>Policy planners</li> <li>Public administrators</li> <li>Governance and civic‑tech practitioners</li> </ul> <p>Core modules include:</p> <ul role="list"> <li>Public policy design and the policy cycle</li> <li>Civic leadership and accountability</li> <li>E‑government and digital public service innovation</li> <li>AI‑based workflow automation</li> <li>Project Concept Paper (PCP) development</li> </ul> <p>Field visits:</p> <ul role="list"> <li>AITI‑KACE (Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT)</li> <li>National Youth Authority (NYA), Ghana</li> </ul> <h3><strong>Private Sector Training (August 16–29, 2026)</strong></h3> <p>Designed for:</p> <ul role="list"> <li>Startup founders</li> <li>Tech developers</li> <li>Digital innovators</li> </ul> <p>Core modules include:</p> <ul role="list"> <li>Customer discovery and market analysis</li> <li>Business Model Canvas (BMC)</li> <li>No‑code app development (Glide, Bubble, etc.)</li> <li>AI API integration</li> <li>Pitch deck development using AI tools</li> </ul> <p>Field visits:</p> <ul role="list"> <li>MEST Africa</li> <li>UNICEF Startup Lab</li> <li>AITI‑KACE</li> </ul> <div></div> <h2><strong>3. Stage 3 — Invitational Training in Korea (June 2027)</strong></h2> <p>A <strong>14‑day advanced training program</strong> at Hallym University, Republic of Korea. Only <strong>60 outstanding participants</strong> (30 public + 30 private) will be selected based on a strict evaluation matrix.</p> <p>Evaluation Weighting:</p> <ol role="list" start="1"> <li>Attendance &amp; Engagement – 20%</li> <li>Assignment &amp; Task Performance – 20%</li> <li>Action Plan Quality – 25%</li> <li>Pitching &amp; Presentation Skills – 15%</li> <li>Collaboration &amp; Leadership – 10%</li> <li>Practical Applicability &amp; Impact – 10%</li> </ol> <p>Balanced representation across:</p> <ul role="list"> <li>5 countries</li> <li>Public and private sectors</li> </ul> <div></div> <h1><strong>Eligibility Requirements</strong></h1> <h3><strong>Required</strong></h3> <ul role="list"> <li>Youth aged <strong>19–34</strong></li> <li>Working in public sector, private sector, or academia</li> <li>Interest in leadership and digital innovation</li> <li>English communication skills</li> <li>Availability for Ghana training</li> <li>Eligibility for Ghana and Korea visa issuance</li> </ul> <h3><strong>Priority Consideration</strong></h3> <ul role="list"> <li>Associate degree or 2+ years of experience</li> <li>Female applicants and rural applicants</li> <li>Public sector: policy planning practitioners</li> <li>Private sector: early‑stage startup entrepreneurs</li> </ul> <h3><strong>Preferred</strong></h3> <ul role="list"> <li>Experience in AI or ICT</li> <li>Strong teamwork willingness</li> <li>Public policy or entrepreneurship experience</li> <li>Commitment to knowledge‑sharing</li> </ul> <div></div> <h1><strong>Application Process</strong></h1> <h3><strong>Submit the following documents to your KOICA Country Office:</strong></h3> <ol role="list" start="1"> <li>KOICA Application Form (PDF, signed)</li> <li>Letter of Recommendation (PDF, signed)</li> <li>Passport Copy (valid, PDF)</li> <li>Agreement on Provision of Personal Information</li> </ol> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Final selected participants must submit a <strong>medical check‑up certificate</strong> issued in 2026.</p> <div></div> <h1><strong>Program Curriculum Breakdown</strong></h1> <h3><strong>Joint Modules</strong></h3> <ul role="list"> <li>Leadership &amp; Youth Empowerment</li> <li>Problem‑solving leadership</li> <li>Digital transformation &amp; AI</li> <li>Generative AI for work and business</li> <li>SDGs and development cooperation</li> </ul> <h3><strong>Public Sector Modules</strong></h3> <ul role="list"> <li>Public policy planning</li> <li>Governance and accountability</li> <li>Digital government</li> <li>Policy proposal development</li> <li>Action Plan (PCP) workshops</li> </ul> <h3><strong>Private Sector Modules</strong></h3> <ul role="list"> <li>Entrepreneurship opportunity discovery</li> <li>MVP development</li> <li>Market sizing and scalability</li> <li>AI‑enabled business modeling</li> <li>Pitching and fundraising strategy</li> </ul> <div></div> <h1><strong>Action Plan (AP) &amp; Country Report Requirements</strong></h1> <h3><strong>Country Report</strong></h3> <ul role="list"> <li>Due: <strong>July 17th, 11:59 PM KST</strong></li> <li>Format: PowerPoint (max 10 pages)</li> </ul> <h3><strong>Action Plan</strong></h3> <p>A structured implementation document addressing:</p> <ul role="list"> <li>National challenges</li> <li>AI/ICT‑based solutions</li> <li>Policy or business innovation</li> <li>Feasibility and scalability</li> </ul> <p>Participants present their AP during local training and are evaluated for Korea selection.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h1><strong>Application Deadline</strong></h1> <p><strong>June 17th, 16:00 (Local Time)</strong></p> <div> <p>For more information about this opportunity and to apply visit <a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1pP_cocO59ohFbXdhWsGGxmWCCCKXo5Jl" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a></p> <p>Discover more fellowship  opportunities <a href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/?s=fellowship" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a></div> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/2026/06/09/koica-youth-leaders-program-2026-2027/">KOICA Youth Leaders Program (2026–2027)</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org">Opportunities for Youth</a>.</p>