Lusaka, Zambia — The first group of 44 youth leaders have graduated from a six-month Youth Lead intern program supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Ministry of Youth, Sport, and Child Development. Implemented by FHI 360 in partnership with the National Youth Development Council, the USAID Youth Lead program is providing leadership and civic engagement skills training for 350 young women and men from across Zambia.

A three-year program launched in September 2018, Youth Lead recognizes young Zambian leaders as partners rather than beneficiaries, and consistently works with them to ensure that the leadership training and internship activities meets their needs, addresses their knowledge gaps, and builds their agency and skills in a comprehensive manner.

Youth Lead builds civic engagement skills through a six-month training and internship program, during which program participants are assigned a mentor responsible for providing one-on-one training and support to help them reach their full potential. Based on their interests, Youth Lead participants are also paired with local and international civil society organizations, government agencies, and private-sector partners for a 6-month internship.

Towards the end of the internship, youth are provided small grants to develop and execute a community-based initiative or advocacy campaign strengthening their civic engagement, organization, and planning skills. Youth Lead also strengthens the capacity of the National Youth Development Council by establishing structures and systems enabling positive youth engagement. 

“Youth Lead has changed my life in so many ways.  I have confidence in myself and I have a voice that I know I must use to effect change in my community,” said Chinyama Shamambo, a graduate of the program and a former intern with Children International, a U.S.-based development organization. “I have the skills and experience employers demand. This is a new beginning for me.”

Speaking at the graduation ceremony on behalf of the Minister of Youth, Sport, and Child Development, Emmanuel Mulenga, the Ministry’s Director of Planning and Information, Mr. Nelson Nyangu, said, “[t]here is a need for young people in our nation to engage themselves in matters of governance, health and societal building activities. Young people in our nation should not be associated with political violence but political developmental initiatives. The Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development commends such initiatives as Youth Lead.”

Also speaking at the graduation ceremony, USAID/Zambia Deputy Director Thomas Crubaugh said: “Youth Lead is harnessing the amazing potential of young Zambian leaders. I am inspired by the potential of these young women and men to become business leaders, civic innovators, and creative social agents of change.”