The Generation Connect Young Leadership Programme (GCYLP):

ITU and Huawei’s GCYLP program is a promising initiative to engage and inspire youth as digital leaders and change-makers. As a part of the partnership, thirty young fellows each year are appointed and provided with mentorship, training, and financial support to implement their digital development projects in different communities around the world.

Thirty young fellows annually are supported to implement digital development projects in their communities around the globe. This program is a unique chance for young leaders to demonstrate their innovative digital projects implemented from scratch or focused on promoting current infrastructural solutions.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Age Requirement: Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 28 by the application deadline of Saturday, March 23, 2024.
• Interest in Leadership: Applicants should demonstrate an interest in leading and implementing a digital development project.
• Educational Background: Applicants must be currently enrolled or recently graduated from a tertiary education institution in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) or a demonstrably STEM-related academic program.
• Proficiency in English: Applicants must be able to communicate effectively in English, as it is the main language of the program. This language proficiency ensures that all fellows can fully benefit from the planned offerings of trainings, networking opportunities, and events.

Benefits:

• Curated Programming: Participants will engage in year-long virtual leadership training activities organized by ITU and Huawei. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to participate in an in-person global training week (location to be confirmed), enhancing their capacity as digital changemakers.
• Funding: Each selected fellow will receive up to USD 10,000 in grant funding for their youth-led project. Initially, all 30 fellows will receive a USD 5,000 grant to support the implementation of their proposed digital development projects. Furthermore, the most impactful projects at the end of the year will receive an additional USD 5,000 grant to scale up their initiatives.

Selection Process:

• Shortlisting: Initially, ITU and Huawei staff will conduct a first round of application reading. By mid-April 2024, shortlisted candidates will receive an invitation to provide ID documentation, a video, and two different references within four days for the final round of selection.
• Final Selection: The GCYLP Jury will hold a final selection meeting to choose the 30 fellows of the cohort. The announcement of the fellows is targeted for early May 2024.

Application Deadline:  

The Deadline of the Application is 23 March 2024

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the ITU Generation Connect Young Leadership Programme