Apply to ZYCELP COHORT 3

ZAMFARA YOUTH CIVIC ENGAGEMENT LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME ZYCELP COHORT 3

PROGRAMME: ZAMFARA YOUTH CIVIC ENGAGEMENT LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME ZYCELP COHORT 3

SUPPORT: NIGERIA YOUTH FUTURES FUND NYFF

LOCATION: ZAMFARA STATE, NIGERIA

ELIGIBLE AREAS: ALL 14 LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF ZAMFARA STATE

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 5 OCTOBER 2026

ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

ZYCELP is a youth led civic leadership fellowship designed to equip young Zamfarans with the knowledge, skills and networks needed to become effective civic leaders and champions of accountability, transparency and inclusive governance.

With support from the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund NYFF, Cohort 3 aims to strengthen youth participation in governance and empower young people to move from civic awareness to meaningful civic action.

WHAT WILL FELLOWS ENGAGE IN

1. Leadership, governance and civic engagement training
2. Public budget tracking and government project monitoring
3. Electoral debates and issue based political engagement
4. Voter education and election awareness
5. Digital accountability scorecards for elected leaders
6. Governance podcast and media engagement
7. Digital tools for civic engagement and transparency
8. Sustainable Development Goals SDGs
9. Peaceful, inclusive and responsible civic participation
10. Engagement with policymakers, public institutions and other stakeholders

WHAT WILL SELECTED FELLOWS GAIN

1. Intensive leadership and civic engagement training
2. Mentorship and learning opportunities with experienced civic leaders, practitioners and experts
3. Certificate of Participation
4. Opportunity to compete for up to ₦100,000 in grant support for selected fellow led election awareness campaigns across selected LGAs
5. Opportunity to track and rate elected leaders through digital accountability scorecards
6. Opportunities for radio, television and other media engagement
7. Membership of the ZYCELP Alumni Network
8. Access to peer learning, collaboration and leadership opportunities
9. Guidance on fellowships, scholarships, internships, jobs and other opportunities
10. Practical knowledge of public budgets, accountability and monitoring tools
11. Opportunities to engage policymakers and public institutions

WHO CAN APPLY

Applicants should:

1. Be 18 to 35 years old
2. Be an indigene and resident of Zamfara State
3. Have a strong interest in leadership, good governance and accountability
4. Have an interest or experience in advocacy, volunteering or community development
5. Be committed to active participation throughout the programme
6. Be active on social media and willing to use digital platforms responsibly for civic engagement
7. Be available to participate in the 3 day residential leadership workshop
8. Be willing to remain engaged in post training activities and the ZYCELP Alumni Network

FROM CIVIC AWARENESS TO CIVIC ACTION

ZYCELP is designed to help young people develop practical civic leadership skills, understand public budgets and accountability systems, monitor government projects, engage institutions and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

The programme also provides opportunities for young Zamfarans to connect with fellow young changemakers, engage policymakers and participate in activities focused on transparency, accountability and inclusive governance.

NOTE ON APPLICATION AUTHENTICITY

Applicants should not use AI to generate their application responses.

Application answers should reflect the applicant’s own experiences, ideas, achievements and ambitions. AI may only be used for minor purposes such as correcting grammar or sentence structure.

The substance of the application must remain entirely the applicant’s own.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

5 October 2026

HOW TO APPLY

Qualified applicants should complete the application form before the deadline.

APPLY HERE

Supported by the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund NYFF.