Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Regional Leadership Center for Southern Africa (RLC-SA) Year 8 - Annual Report

The Center received 15,180 applications, indicating sustained demand for the program. Notably, there was a significant increase in applications from young people with disabilities, representing an 18.2% improvement. This growth was attributed to the implementation of recruitment-focused information sessions in collaboration with organizations that support young people living with disabilities. The Center successfully conducted eight training cohorts and graduated a total of 1,329 young leaders. To enhance program delivery, the Center held feedback sessions throughout the year. The Mandela Washington Fellowship (MWF) University Institutes provided constructive feedback on prototype ideas presented by participants at the RLC-SA. This feedback was used by the alumni to enhance their prototype ideas in preparation for the pitch session. The program's curriculum was designed to equip young leaders with the necessary skills and knowledge to drive positive change in their communities. The curriculum included modules on business and entrepreneurship development, public management and governance, and human-centered design and design thinking. The program also included mentorship and coaching to support the development of the young leaders. The YALI RLC-SA has a strong network of alumni who are actively engaged in their communities. The alumni have established a community of practice, which provides a platform for them to share their experiences and best practices. The Center also partnered with various organizations to provide opportunities for the alumni to engage with their communities. The program's financial performance was strong, with a total budget of $1.5 million. The Center was able to achieve its financial goals, with a total expenditure of $1.4 million. The program's monitoring and evaluation framework was designed to track progress and identify areas for improvement. The framework included key performance indicators (KPIs) such as the number of applications received, the number of graduates, and the level of engagement among alumni. The YALI RLC-SA has a strong commitment to monitoring and evaluation. The Center has established a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress and identify areas for improvement. The framework includes KPIs such as the number of applications received, the number of graduates, and the level of engagement among alumni. The Center also conducts regular assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. The program's geographic focus was on Southern Africa, with a strong emphasis on building capacity among young leaders in the region. The program's implementation was guided by a clear set of objectives, which included building the capacity of young leaders, promoting economic growth and development, and fostering regional cooperation. The YALI RLC-SA has a strong commitment to sustainability. The Center has established a robust sustainability framework to ensure the long-term viability of the program. The framework includes strategies for securing funding, building partnerships, and promoting the program's impact. The Center also has a strong commitment to accountability and transparency, with regular reporting and evaluation to ensure that the program is meeting its objectives.