International Youth Foundation (IYF) and LEAP Africa have struck a partnership to launch Youth Enterprise Fund (YEF).

Both thought leaders in positive youth development (PYD) will, through the project, resurrect their historic pact to implement new and innovative approaches that leverage their shared expertise.  
 
“When we first partnered with LEAP in 2013 to support strengthening of their Social Innovators Programme, our work together really focused on building the skills of young social entrepreneurs, facilitating access to networks and resources for youth-led projects and advocating importance and credibility of youth-led social innovation. We are excited to work together again to build off that model and success, and explore new frontiers in facilitating more sustainable access and strengthen the ecosystem for early to mid-stage social entrepreneurs,” said Technical Advisor, Youth Agency & Engagement at the International Youth Foundation, United States, Sarah Jonson.

YEF is funded by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation to support the critical work being done by early and mid-stage social entrepreneurs. With flexible grants that would be sub-awarded to social innovators within LEAP Africa’s Alumni network, YEF is to support them to increase impact of their work.

LEAP Africa has been strengthening and advancing youth-led innovation and entrepreneurship in Nigeria for the past decade through its Social Innovator’s Programme (SIP). 
 
Every year, a cohort of fellows is equipped with new knowledge and skills, supported to expand their networks and partnerships, and gets elevated through national and regional showcase events. This model has resulted in greater personal effectiveness, organisational sustainability and impact. With time, the SIP has created a network of change agents across Africa.
   
YEF seeks to build on success of SIP by facilitating access to flexible funding for SIP alumni.

In addition, YEF would engage with the Nigerian social entrepreneurship ecosystem to effect lasting change in the services and support that are accessible to young entrepreneurs. The partnership brings together LEAP Africa’s experience working with social innovators across Africa and IYF’s experience and expertise in implementing and supporting leadership and development programmes, aside supporting youths in marginalised and under-resourced communities across Africa.
 
“Africa is not in short supply of self-willed, talented, innovative people (particularly young people), but what is lacking is direction, resources and training to empower and equip our young change-makers to build sustainable and thriving enterprises to address the issues peculiar to Africa. With a partner like IYF, LEAP Africa looks forward to improving social entrepreneurs’ change outcomes,” Acting Executive Director of LEAP Africa, Kehinde Ayeni, submitted.
   
IYF President and CEO, Susan Reichle, said: “In Nigeria, as in other countries across Africa, young social entrepreneurs are finding innovative solutions for challenges affecting their communities, countries, region and the world. Investing in young social entrepreneurs and youth-led organisations is critical, as it is with partnering with local organisations. IYF is proud to partner with LEAP Africa to launch YEF to support young social entrepreneurs in Nigeria to expand and deepen their work in areas, including climate change, education and health. This is part and parcel of what we mean at IYF when we say we’re transforming lives, together.”