New Cohort of Filipino Youth Leaders Complete YouthLed’s Leadership and Democracy Fellowship Program

Manila, May 24, 2024 — Thirty-five dynamic young leaders from across the Philippines completed the 2023 Leadership and Democracy (LEAD) Fellowship Program.  

Initiated in 2021, the LEAD Fellowship is one of the flagship programs of The Asia Foundation’s Youth Leadership for Democracy (YouthLed) project in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development. YouthLed works to increase the civic engagement of young Filipinos and strengthen participation in democratic governance.  

The LEAD Fellows completing the 2023 YouthLed LEAD Fellowship Program together with key partners from the United States Agency for International Development, The Asia Foundation, Asian Institute of Management, Ateneo School of Government, and Ayala Foundation, Inc.

The LEAD Fellowship invests in the leadership skills of youth from diverse backgrounds to strengthen their capacity to effectively navigate, engage, and optimize platforms for democratic governance. Through strategic partnerships with the Asian Institute of Management, Ateneo School of Government, and Ayala Foundation, Inc., the LEAD Fellows participated in a series of learning activities aimed at enhancing their civic and political leadership knowledge, skills, and attitudes. These sessions facilitated meaningful dialogues with experts in academia and seasoned leaders from local government units on leadership experiences, program management, and advocacy work. 

LEAD Fellow Mahatma Sangacala, a member of the Local Executive Board of the United Voices for Peace Network (UVPN) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, shared his journey of growth and empowerment through the fellowship. He highlighted that he and his fellows are now better equipped to advocate for positive change in their communities while echoing the principles of good governance. 

“I found the courage to speak up, to share my insights, and to believe in the value of my voice. I learned the importance of transparency, accountability, and integrity in decision-making; and understood the necessity of safeguarding our “whys” and securing our non-negotiables in navigating the political arena,” he remarked. 

LEAD Fellow Annika Carolina Acebedo, technical staff at the National Youth Commission, emphasized the significance of the platforms the fellows have accessed to advocate for increased civic and political participation among Filipino youth and contribute to democratic governance. 

Fellows underwent learning sessions with Ayala Foundation, Inc. who delivered Project Amuma, an overarching program on servant leadership for democracy

YouthLed also supported the fellows’ Change Projects as part of the fellowship. Designed under the fellowship program to address issues in their communities, fellows implemented projects related to the engagement of young leaders in political processes, societal reintegration of Children in Conflict with the Law, mental health support for disaster-affected young individuals, and equal opportunities for the deaf and hard-hearing people, among many others. 

Ten outstanding youth projects received further support from YouthLed through the Democracy Grants, expanding their impact and contribution to the broader goals of Filipino youth empowerment and meaningful participation in democratic governance. 

Learn more about the YouthLed LEAD Fellows and explore collaboration opportunities with them by visiting youthledph.org. 

The Asia Foundation is a nonprofit international development organization committed to improving lives and expanding opportunities across Asia and the Pacific. Informed by 70 years of experience and deep local knowledge, our work is focused on governance, climate action, gender equality, education and leadership, inclusive growth, and international cooperation. We work in more than 20 countries through our 17 permanent country offices and programs across Asia and the Pacific, supported by a headquarters in San Francisco and an office in Washington, DC. Our funding comes from a diverse array of bilateral and multilateral development agencies, foundations, corporations, and individuals.

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