Applications are currently being accepted for the Yiaga Africa - Regional Community Organizing Institute 2026. Interested applicants are encouraged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
About Yiaga Africa - Regional Community Organizing Institute
The West Africa Regional Community Organizing Institute (COI) is a training and capacity development program hosted by Yiaga Africa with the support of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). The program was formerly known as the Youth Organizing School. The program brings together a group of approximately 30-35 mid-career practitioners from West Africa countries who are working to advance democratic practices and economic and legal reform in contexts where freedom, human development, and good governance are fragile or at risk. This Community organizing Institute is a direct response to increasing demand to support new civic activists and deepen bounds of solidarity between community organizers in Francophone West Africa. While forging a stronger bond between Anglophone and Francophone West Africa.
Benefits of Yiaga Africa - Regional Community Organizing Institute
- Yiaga Africa will cover the costs of participation associated with attending the Institute.
Yiaga Africa - Regional Community Organizing Institute Requirements
- This program is aimed at mid-career practitioners working actively in the fields of democracy, development, and the rule of law.
- Applicants can be working as leaders of non-profit organizations, community-based advocates, social campaigners, policy reform advocates, journalists, political party leaders. In their present capacity, applicants should play important and influential roles in their country's political, economic, and social development. Participants should have demonstrated professional and personal achievements in a relevant sector of democracy, development, and the rule of law.
- A working knowledge of English or French is an important prerequisite for participation in the program. It is expected that each applicant has a solid command of written and spoken English or French to fully benefit and participate in the program.
Selection Criteria
- This is not an academic fellowship but is meant for practitioners only. We value practical experience over academic credentials, and we admit participants from civil society, political society, community and student leaders especially applicants who hold leadership roles in their respective sector to qualify for the Institute
- Applicants must be from and currently reside in one of the West African countries - these include Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
- Applicants must not be more than 30 years of age at the start of the Training in August 2026.
- Applicants must be actively working in the field of democracy and development.
- Applicants must have a solid command of written and spoken English or French. All program materials and sessions are in English and French.
- Female applicants and persons living with disabilities are STRONGLY encouraged to apply.
Application Date and Process
The application contains the following sections:
- Applicant Information
- Essay Questions
- English Language Proficiency
- Personal Certification
Application Deadline
14 July, 2026
Opportunity Application
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