US Department of State Pan-Africa Youth Leadership Program (PAYLP) 2022

US Department of State Pan-Africa Youth Leadership Program (PAYLP) 2022: The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy welcomes applications for the 2022 Pan-Africa Youth Leadership Program (PAYLP). PAYLP is designed to provide secondary school youth (ages 15-18) and adult educators the opportunity to explore themes such as entrepreneurship, civic education, youth leadership, economic development, and respect for diversity.

Application Deadline: 5th April 2022

To Be Taken At (Country): USA

About the Pan-Africa Youth Leadership Program: PAYLP is an intensive academic program offered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA)’s Youth Programs Division. Through three-week intensive exchanges in the United States, participants engage in workshops on leadership and service, community site visits related to the program themes and subthemes, interactive training in conflict resolution, presentations, visits to high schools, local cultural activities, and homestays with local American families.  A key component of the program is for participants to develop follow-on community-based projects in their home communities to effect positive change after their return home.

Type: Short courses

Eligibility for Pan-Africa Youth Leadership Program: 

• Youth participants should be high school students aged between 15 to 18 years at the start of the exchange who have demonstrated leadership potential through academic work, community involvement, and extracurricular activities.
• Each exchange delegation will also include adult participants who are teachers, trainers or community leaders who work with youth.  They will fill the roles of exchange participant, chaperone, and post-exchange mentor.
• All Candidates should have sufficient proficiency in English to allow them to participate in an academicprogram.

A Successful candidate for this program will have the following characteristics:

1   Student candidates:

• be a high school student who is 15, 16, 17, or 18 years of age by the start of the exchange
• be proficient in English
• attend at least one semester of high school in his/her home country following completion of the program;
• indicate a serious interest in learning about the United States
• demonstrate strong leadership qualities and potential in his/her school or community
• have a high level of academic achievement, as indicated by academic grades, awards, and teacher recommendations
• demonstrate a commitment to community service and extracurricular activities
• have had little or no prior study or travel experience in the United States or elsewhere outside of their home country
• be mature, responsible, independent, confident, open-minded, tolerant, thoughtful and inquisitive; and
• be willing and able to fully participate in an intensive program, community service, and active educational travel program during the exchange, as well as in follow-on activities afterward in their home countries.

2   Adult candidates:

• be a teacher, trainer, volunteer, or community leader who works with youth
• be proficient in English
• have a commitment to remain in teaching positions or other positions of influence on young leaders after the program
• indicate a serious interest in learning about the United States
• demonstrate an interest in developing professional skills
• be supportive of the teenage participants and assist them to become productive and responsible members of society
• exhibit maturity and open-mindedness, and
• be willing and able to fully participate in an intensive program, community service, and active educational travel program during the exchange, as well as to mentor youth in their follow-on activities afterward in their home countries.

Number of Awards: Approximately 50 youth and adult participants will travel to the United States

Value of Pan-Africa Youth Leadership Program: The Department of State will cover travel and ground transportation, as well as book, cultural, housing, subsistence, mailing, incidental allowances and health benefits for all participants.

Duration of Program: 

How to Apply for Pan-Africa Youth Leadership Program:

Sample Application forms: –

1. PAYLP Youth/Student Application Form Application: https://www.civic264.org.na/images/pdf/2022/3/PAYLP_English_Application_-_YOUTH_Sample.docx
2. PAYLP Adult Mentor Application Form Application: https://www.civic264.org.na/images/pdf/2022/3/PAYLP_English_Application_-_YOUTH_Sample.docx

Please email completed applications to Mr George M Beukes at  by 5 April 2022 (- latest by 11 April 2022).

Visit the Program Webpage for Details