The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Accra Regional Leadership Center (RLC) continues to empower its alumni through the Community Engagement Fund (CEF). This annual, competitive grant is designed to support transformational change initiatives in civic and public policy spaces. Open exclusively to alumni of the YALI Accra RLC, the CEF aims to foster impactful and sustainable projects that leave a lasting legacy.
This year’s theme focused on, “Impact-creation, Sustainability, and Legacy”. The CEF is dedicated to supporting projects that alumni have designed to create and sustain impact. This year’s fund focuses on initiatives that embody the spirit of change and innovation, ensuring that the work of YALI alumni continues to benefit their communities long after the projects have concluded.
Alumni from the nine countries covered by the West Africa Accra RLC were invited to submit proposals for projects with a budget of up to USD 2,000. These proposals were evaluated based on their potential to create meaningful and sustainable change in their respective communities and other criteria outlined.
Congratulations to the 2024 CEF Recipients!
After a rigorous selection process, we are thrilled to announce the recipients of this year’s Community Engagement Fund. These outstanding individuals have demonstrated exceptional commitment to their communities through a variety of innovative projects:
Abdourahman Bah, C46, The Gambia: String Hub Gambia: String Hope: Empowering Gambian Youth Through Artistic Expression and Entrepreneurship
I am passionate about youth empowerment and environmental protection. Witnessing the high youth unemployment rate and poor waste management in The Gambia negatively impacting our communities motivated me to create this initiative. My vision is to equip young people with artistic and entrepreneurial skills, fostering self-reliance and environmental responsibility. I see myself as a facilitator and mentor, guiding them to transform their lives and contribute to a cleaner and sustainable future.
Adebusola Omotunde, C10, Nigeria: Youth Empowerment Project for The Community at Ifako-Ijaiye, Lagos State
Amtis Skills Place is a pioneer skills trainer for schools and other Organizations. We have a vision to redefine the face of skills in Africa by bridging the gap between school curriculum and skills acquisition. We empower our youths with skills like fashion design, photography, makeup artistry and the likes. We have also successfully placed our trainees on jobs and internships post-training. Our goal is to increase employability among youths and generate wealth for the economy.
Alie Conteh, C12, Sierra Leone: Addressing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Across Orphanage Homes in The Western Area Rural
The specific problem we aim to solve is the vulnerability of children in orphanage homes to SGBV, including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. We engaged target beneficiaries through interviews, surveys, and focus group discussions to understand their experiences and needs fully. The root cause of the problem is a lack of awareness, inadequate support services, and power imbalances within orphanage home environments. The problem affects children in orphanage homes, particularly those without parental care or protection. Efforts made by beneficiaries include seeking support from staff, peers, and external organizations, but more comprehensive interventions are needed to address SGBV effectively.
Bate Tabenayang Alaine, Climate Tech Cohort, Cameroun: Empowering IDP Farmers in Buea Through Smart Climate Agriculture
The specific problem I want to solve is the vulnerability of IDP farmers in Buea to the impacts of climate change on their agricultural practices. I have engaged with these farmers through discussions, interviews, and field visits to fully understand their challenges. The root cause of their vulnerability lies in the changing climate patterns that result in unpredictable weather conditions, leading to crop failures, reduced yields, and food insecurity. By empowering these IDP farmers with knowledge and tools for smart climate agriculture, we can help them build resilience and sustain their livelihoods in the face of climate change.
Brice Ndesian Arnaud, C6, Nigeria: Bringing back the Children of Miango Community to School
My vision for children in my community is to train them to be self-employed and self-reliant. This will be done through qualitative technical and vocational education and establishing a technical college is what I have been working on over the years.
Celestin Pito Atinedi, C11, Togo: Empowering Smallholder Farmers for Sustainable Livelihoods
Charity Akpabi, C37, Ghana: Teaching Techlead To 50 Girls In Gomoa Nyanyano Community, Central Region, Ghana: A Case of Closing the Digital Skills Gap In Rural Ghana
My passion lies with teenagers. This is a critical stage where young minds are forming and charting their academic paths. They grapple with crucial decisions about senior high school and college courses, often without access to the information and resources they desperately need. This lack of guidance can have a domino effect, leading to limited course and school choices that ultimately impact their future careers. In today’s increasingly digital world, the stakes are even higher. Young people who lack essential technology skills risk falling behind and missing out on the exciting opportunities available in STEM fields. This is where I see myself making a difference. My vision is to ignite a passion for futuristic careers in STEM within these teenagers.
Che Azenyui Bruno, C11, Cameroun: The Mbandjock Self-Reliance Scheme
The primary target group of my project basically includes Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), persons on the run, refugees and persons driven into exile as a result of Cameroon’s eight year armed conflict. As someone that has spent the greater part of my life the past five years in IDP host communities in Cameroon, I have seen firsthand the gruesome reality of the hardship that IDPs experience as they struggle with the new reality that has been imposed on them by armed conflict and the challenges they face as they seek to identify with the new reality of their lives.
Chenedu Bakosi Alagba, C46, Nigeria: Programme For Educational Advancement In Rural Community (Peak)
The challenges faced by students in the Ogoda community and Akinima are heartbreaking. My organization wants to complete the current ongoing library project at the Community Secondary School Akinima, through CEF and Provision of Solar Powered lamps for students in the Ogoda community.
Dr. Charles Umeh, C45, Nigeria: Onitsha North Healthcare Bridge: Telemedicine for Flood-Resilient Communities
I believe telemedicine offers immense potential to bridge healthcare gaps exacerbated by floods. Through empowering residents with this technology, I envision a future where they can access critical medical consultations remotely, regardless of floodwaters.
Dzidedi Aku Senaya, C46, Ghana: Young Eco-Warriors Upcycling Project
Our vision is to empower creative youth to combat plastic pollution through upcycling initiatives. We aim to address pressing civic challenges by fostering entrepreneurship and environmental stewardship, unlocking economic opportunities for marginalized communities.
Etonde Eliot Nchange, C5, Cameroun: Achieving Peaceful School Environment Through Students’ Leadership
This project aims to empower 50 student leaders from five schools in Yaounde 6 municipality through a one-day training program on servant leadership, conflict resolution, and empathy. By equipping student leaders with essential skills, the project seeks to foster a culture of respect and non-violence, creating safer and more productive educational environments.
Francis John Sesay, C46, Sierra Leone: Capacity Building for Cassava Farmers
Growing up in a rural village where my mother dedicated her life to farming, I witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by smallholder farmers like her in selling their produce. This experience ignited a curiosity in me to seek solutions to this pressing issue from a young age. My vision is to empower these farmers with access to sustainable markets, comprehensive agricultural training, improved crop varieties and enhanced productivity to uplift their livelihoods. I am driven to take a leading role in advocating for and providing the necessary resources to address the critical challenges they encounter, thereby facilitating positive change within their community.
Kongbunri Luanga Nyur-Yuver, C37, Cameroun: Establishing a Tree Nursery at ACOHOF Family Farm School Bankim for Enhanced Agroforestry Training and Implementation
I am deeply committed to uplifting displaced and underprivileged youths, as well as peasant farmers in the Bankim community. Witnessing their struggle against poverty driven by unsustainable agricultural practices motivates me. My vision is to break the poverty cycle by empowering them through sustainable agriculture and rural entrepreneurship. As an advocate for positive change, I aspire to play a pivotal role in implementing lasting solutions. Through the establishment of a contemporary tree nursery at ACOHOF Family Farm School, I aim to equip them with skills, fostering economic independence, and leading the fight against land degradation and desert encroachment in Bankim.
Lawrencia Konkobo, C39, Burkina Faso: Internally Displaced Women Empowerment
Internally displacement is a burning issue in Burkina Faso due to terrorism. Many people, including women and children have been obliged to leave their villages and cities. Running away from such a violence without anything made them vulnerable in host cities, such as Ouagadougou. They are obliged to beg strangers to make a living. My vision is to create a better world for displaced women, the foundation of each family, by teaching them a revenue generating activity. I also want to play the role of the young leader who cares about other’s situation and uses her expertise to empower women.
Nnaji Michael Chekwubechukwu, C40, Nigeria: Climate Change Awareness Program (CAP)
It is not clear whether Nigerians are adequately aware of what Climate Change is or its effects. Perhaps, the biggest obstacle is a lack of awareness and knowledge. Nigerians need to be educated and informed about Climate Change, and how it can change our lives drastically. Lack of information and knowledge about Climate Change means that many Nigerians are reluctant to accept the reality of Climate Change. Also, there is a lack of government preparedness, and commitment to promoting Climate Change adaptation strategies in the country.
Wang Ntui Belle, C6, Cameroon: Mitigating the Prevalence of Gender-Based Violence Among Crisis-Affected Populations Through Livelihood Skills Acquisition and Awareness Raising for Community Resilience
The specific problem I want to solve is mitigating the prevalence of GBV among crisis-affected women and girls in Meme Division as cases continue to be reported to actors daily. Through my engagement with the target groups by direct interactions, focus group discussions, and collaboration with other actors, the root cause of the problem lies in general existing gender inequalities, and the lingering effects of the socio-political crisis, which has displaced families and aggravated vulnerabilities.
Paulina Idris, C11, Nigeria: Farm2Table Sack Farming Training
These projects reflect the diverse and impactful work being done by YALI alumni across the region. Each initiative is a testament to the power of community engagement and the enduring legacy of the YALI program.
The Community Engagement Fund is more than just a grant; it is a catalyst for change, empowering YALI alumni to transform their communities. Congratulations to all the recipients, and we look forward to seeing the incredible impact of your projects!