The Zamfara Youth Civic Engagement Leadership Program (ZYCELP) – Cohort 2 is a youth-led initiative aimed at strengthening good governance, grassroots accountability, and civic participation across Zamfara State.
This program empowers young leaders from all 14 Local Government Areas (LGAs) through intensive training, mentorship, and practical civic engagement. Fellows will track government activities, advocate for transparency, and promote inclusive leadership at the local, zonal, and state levels.
As part of the program, fellows will conduct civic education tours, establish civic clubs, develop accountability platforms, and raise awareness about local government autonomy through media campaigns and town hall forums.
Program Highlights
- Intensive Training & One-on-One Mentorship
- Civic Engagement Tours Across 10 Tertiary Institutions
- Establishment of Civic Clubs in Secondary Schools
- Creation of Digital Scorecards for All 14 LGAs
- Youth Accountability Tea Events in Every LGA
- Radio Programs on Governance & Local Government Autonomy
- Stakeholder Town Hall Meetings in All 3 Senatorial Zones
- Budget Tracking & Project Monitoring Workshops
- Training on Digital Tools for Civic Transparency
- Inclusive Participation of Women, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and Vulnerable Youth
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for ZYCELP Cohort 2, applicants must:
- Be aged 18–35 years
- Be an indigene and resident of Zamfara State
- Demonstrate a passion for leadership, good governance, accountability, and civic responsibility
- Have interest or prior experience in advocacy, volunteering, or community development
- Be fully committed and available to attend all program activities
- Be active on social media and willing to use online platforms for civic advocacy
- Be available for the 3-day residential leadership workshop
Program Benefits
Selected fellows will receive:
- Comprehensive Leadership and Civic Engagement Training
- Mentorship from experienced local and international experts
- A Certificate of Participation
- Opportunity to lead and manage a civic club in a school or community
- A small grant to organize a Youth Accountability Tea Event and launch a civic club
- Tools to track and assess LGA Chairmen’s performance using digital scorecards
- Media exposure through radio appearances and civic awareness campaigns
- Access to the ZYCELP Alumni Network for collaboration and peer support
- Interaction with U.S. civic professionals and exposure to global best practices
- Guidance on applying for fellowships, leadership programs, internships, scholarships, and jobs
- Access to career development resources, toolkits, and global civic platforms
- Practical knowledge on public budgeting, tracking tools, and methodologies
Application Deadline: 25th August 2025
