Emerging Leaders Academy - ELA

Youth from Matale district were educated and informed about significance of democratic norms by Udarata Democratic Front - as part of community development project under ELA cohort 3.

Awareness raising workshop for public officers on Right to Information was organized by Dayata Sawiya - as part of community development project under ELA cohort 3.

ELA members explored the vibes of Jaffna population to discuss their opinion on topics such as enabling an early voting system for elections in the country, criminalizing marital r**e, rights of women in the plantation sector, and level of education on politics among civilians.

Youth leaders were inspired to actively engage in the political sphere by two current parliamentarians who spoke to the ELA members in Galle during the 1st workshop

EMERGING LEADERS ACADEMY PROGRAM – Frequently Asked Questions..!

1. What is the Emerging Leaders Academy (ELA) Program?
ELA program is a multifaceted initiative designed to build the capacity of the next generation of changemakers in Sri Lanka. This program brings together youth community leaders, ages 22 to 30, from across the country to provide technical assistance and small grants to identify citizen concerns and develop issue-based advocacy campaigns and policy proposals more effectively. Through intensive workshops and follow-on community projects, ELA participants get the opportunity to connect with a nationwide network of like-minded youth and local government activists to advocate for their communities.

2. What will I achieve from the ELA Program?
• ELA candidates will be equipped with the leadership and communication skills needed to be effective candidates, political activists, and civic leaders.
• ELA candidates will be provided opportunities to address community issues and create community projects to apply their leadership, communication, and networking skills from grass-root level to national level.
• ELA candidates will be exposed to, a network of youth groups globally, government and civil society stakeholders.

3. Who can apply?
The selection criteria for this program will select 25 participants between the ages of 22 and 30, demonstrate an interest in engaging in the electoral process and community development initiatives.

4. What is the recruitment process?
Candidates for the ELA will be selected through a comprehensive application process that will commence from the end of April 2023. All candidates are encouraged to apply using the online application form indicating your achievements, and your past experiences working in the democratic space of Sri Lanka. Following the review of applications, candidates will be short- listed and called for interviews. Candidates that have been selected will be informed within five days of the interview process.

5. How to apply?
Interested candidates can submit their application via the online form given in the ELA page before the 31st March 2023.

6. How will the ELA Program be delivered?
• The ELA Program will initiate on the 15th of May 2023.
• A series of 05 two-day residential (in-person) workshops (one workshop per month) will be convened in the Northern, Eastern, Southern, Central and Western Provinces.
• Based on the success of the previous ELA Programs, the curriculum has been developed.
• The participants will need to attend all workshops and 100% attendance is required to be recognized as an ELA member.

• The ELA candidates will have the opportunity to engage with other ELA youth networks across the world to share learning experiences.
• Following the workshops, ELA candidates will be divided into four groups, and each group will be provided a small grant to implement a project to address a community issue in collaboration with their local government authorities.
• Five high performing ELA candidates will be provided the opportunity to participate in a six-month paid internship program. Further information on this will be provided during the Program.

7. In which language will the Program be conducted?
The ELA Program will be conducted in English as part of improving the language ability of the ELA members. During the workshops, limited translation support may be provided.

8. Is there a fee to be enrolled in the Program?
No, this is a competitive scholarship program which does not require financial commitment.

For further information, contact us on: +94 77 910 7770 or email us at: [email protected].