CALL FOR APPLICATION: YOUTH LEADER LEADERSHIP PROGRAM 2026-2027

Young Women Rise (YOWORI) In collaboration with Digital Opportunity Trust and The Mastercard Foundation is proud to announce that applications are now open for the Youth Leadership Program 2026-2027. As part of the Going Beyond (GB), this trans formative initiative aims to equip young graduates with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to drive social change and foster entrepreneurship in their communities

Why Join the Youth Leadership Program?

As a participant in the Youth Leadership Program you will be equipped with digital skills and social impact acumen, to  enhance  your ability to influence and contribute to socio-economic development within your community. This program aims to boost your agency and open up new work opportunities, while also building your capacity to implement the Digital Business Program locally.

During the program you will undergo 3 weeks of extensive training to prepare you for your role as a program facilitator, coach, and changemaker. After training you will be deployed back to your community for 6 months with a mission to empower your peers and local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) owners, 70% women, with essential skills for business growth. This includes soft skills, basic business skills, practical digital skills, and self-confidence.

By joining the Youth Leadership Program, you will:

• Receive Comprehensive Training: Enhance your leadership, digital, and entrepreneurial skills through detailed training modules. You will also receive career development training and employment linkages throughout the program. 
• Become a Coach and Changemaker: Serve as a role model and coach to your peers, fostering a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship in your community.
• Empower Your Community: Help local MSMEs grow by sharing essential business skills and practical digital tools.
• Join the DOTYouth Community: Become part of a vibrant network of over 5,000 young leaders across Africa, gaining access to local and international opportunities for collaboration and growth.

About the Going Beyond Project:

The Going Beyond – Partnering for a Youth-Led Future project is a partnership between DOT and the Mastercard Foundation that aims to scale DOT’s evidence – based, peer-to-peer model and will be executed in four African countries – Côte d’Ivoire, Malawi, Zambia, and Tanzania. Over five years, and with the support of

DOT regional hubs in Africa, the Going Beyond project will progressively transfer the responsibility for delivering DOT’s programs and equip youth as leaders of the future.

Our Mission

To strengthen the capacity of 40 youth-led and youth-serving organizations and cultivate a Community of Practice that fosters knowledge sharing, mentorship, and empowerment. By tapping into the creative energy of African youth, the project is catalyzing a shift in the development narrative and creating a lasting impact.

Our Goal

These 40 youth-led and youth-serving organizations will then recruit, train, and deploy 4,000 Youth Leaders (70% women) as digital business facilitators to support and train 300,000 young entrepreneurs (70% women) with digital and entrepreneurship skills, thereby improving livelihoods and strengthening the national foundation for sustainable economic growth.

ELIGIBILITY

• Ages 18-35
• Must be Malawian nationals current residents of Chiradzulu in T/A Mpama, T/A Sandrack, T/A Mpunga and T/A Kadewele.
• Applicants must be recent university or collage or TVET graduates from acredited institution (within 6 months and 5 years of graduation)
• Have basic computer skills
• Applicants must be fully available for 8 months
• Women are encourange to apply
• No employment experience required
• Have access to a basic smartphone or laptop and possess basic computer skills.
• Able to communicate fluently, both orally and in writing, in the local language.
• Demonstrated leadership and passion for community development and entrepreneurship.
• Applicants should have a history of or passion for community engagement activities. 
• Commitment to participate fully in the program
• Deployment requirements: Following their selection, Youth Leaders will participate in program activities within their own communities. Young Women Rise Yowori is committed to supporting local leadership development and does not require relocation.

Timeline for recruitment, selection and deployment of Community Leaders:

1. Call for Applications: 14 March 2026
2. Deadline for Application: 27 March 2026
3. Shortlisted Candidates Interviews: 3rd – 15th April 2026
4. Announcement of finalists:  20 April 2026
5. Induction and Training of Trainers: 1 May 2026
6. Training of trainers: 4th – 15th May 2026
7. Contracting and official deployment:  18th – 22nd May 2026
8. Placement start date:  25th May 2026
9. Placement end date: 27 November 2026

Ineligibility Notice

Please do not apply if any of the following apply to you:

• You are outside the 18–35 age range at the time of application
• You do not hold a minimum diploma or equivalent educational qualification
• Non-graduates, those still in academic training and on currently full-time will not be considered
• You reside outside the participating program countries

HOW TO APPLY

Prepare the following before filling out the application form

• Your cover letter, CV/Resume and Academic qualifications (ONE DOCUMENT)
• A scanned copy of your National ID.

Interested and eligible candidates should apply Using the Link Below

https://conductor.dotrust.org/public/yo/jZdDwoK2rL/yl/candidate/application

Deadline for Application 27 March 2026

Safeguarding and Code of Conduct Information.

We  Young Women Rise and our partners are a safe and inclusive community and this opportunity is completely free. If you have been asked to pay or provide anything outside of what has been communicated here, or encounter any other incidents related to your lack of safety during this process please contact us at  gendersafeguarding@yowori.org