TheCable

LEAP Africa, a youth-focused leadership development organization, has called for applications for the 2019/ 2020 cohort of the Social Innovators Programme and Awards (SIPA).

The programme, initiated by the nonprofit syndicate in partnership with Union Bank, is a one-year fellowship tailored for “young Nigerian changemakers” aged between 18 and 35.

The fellowship seeks to “attract young Nigerians with innovative ideas capable of transforming local communities with high socio-economic impact in areas such as youth empowerment, human rights, law, health, environment, education, agriculture, science and technology among others.”

LEAP, coined from Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability and Professionalism, said prospective applicants must possess ideas and initiatives that offer effective solutions to challenges in local Nigerian communities and must be initiators of a socially focused venture in Nigeria.

It also said participants would be entitled to accessing mentorship, funding, globally valuable networks, partnerships and other resources of “immense benefit”.

“Applicants must have been involved in operating their ventures or enterprise beyond 12 months prior to the the time of this application and must be available to participate in the Fellowship activities including implementation over the course of the fellowship year,” the statement read.

“Following a shortlisting process, 20 candidates will be selected into the programme. These shortlisted participants will be inducted into the Fellowship at the 2019 SIP Awards, scheduled for 14th November in Lagos, Nigeria.”

Application, according to the fellowship’s organizers, is ongoing and open — to all persons so long as the eligibility requirements are met — till August 31st, 2019.

You can apply for SIP here