Increasing Opportunities for Youth from IDP Communities: Learning from CIYOTA and SOAS Research

Washington, DC - On April 29, parallel to the Africa Forum on Displacement taking place in Nairobi, Kenya, Emerging Public Leaders hosted a hybrid event with peer organizations and Open Gov Hub to explore how to increase public service opportunities for young people from internally displaced persons (IDP) communities in the countries where we work.

Central to the conversation was the internationally acclaimed, award-winning CIYOTA (COBURWAS International Youth Organization to Transform Africa), an IDP youth-led nonprofit providing a full continuum of education—from primary to university—for refugees and IDPs in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. CIYOTA offers scholarships, hostels, tutoring, and mentorship, helping thousands of displaced youth access quality education and build brighter futures. Executive Director of CIYOTA, Nziyonvira Ntakamaze, shared reflections on his work with young leaders in Uganda and the DRC as they enter the workforce. As a former refugee, he offered incredible insights into the most common barriers to access that EPL’s model can strategically address.

Director of Sustainability and Communications, Penelope Mawson, meeting Nziyonvira Ntakamaze and Amos Kwizera from CIYOTA on the sidelines of the Skoll World Forum in April 2025.

We also invited Qalam Trevelyan, a SOAS University of London master’s candidate, to share findings from a literature review on the barriers and opportunities young IDPs face pursuing public service careers in Ghana, Liberia, and Malawi. This research, commissioned by EPL, will inform our future recruitment and support strategies.

Our alumni and partners in attendance raised the importance of inclusive recruitment, safeguarding, and governance that reflects marginalized voices. These insights, alongside continued evaluations of feedback from our Fellows, are guiding EPL as we adapt our model to better reach and empower youth from communities at greater risk of displacement to become public leaders.

We look forward to learning more from CIYOTA and SOAS, as well as our partner, the Mastercard Foundation, to expand opportunities for exceptional young Africans across the continent as they pursue careers in the public sector.

EPL was excited to have our Executive Director, Abigail Kajumba in-person for the April event at Open Gov Hub along with Ladi Williams a former EPL team member, Vasco Ayere Avoka a Ghanaian Alumni, Adam Morales Operations Coordinator at the Hub, Amanda Douillette Communications Associate at EPL, and Cheri-Leigh Erasmus, Co-CEO and Chief Learning and Agility Officer at Accountability Lab (not pictured).

Editors Note

About Emerging Public Leaders

Emerging Public Leaders is a public service leadership organization preparing the next generation of competent and effective public sector leaders in Africa. EPL partners with governments and local organizations to rigorously identify young public service professionals who are committed to practicing and promoting good governance throughout Africa. With our support throughout their career journeys, this diverse network of leaders influences and strengthens their country’s institutions for delivering democracy with excellence, care, innovation, and integrity.

For more information about Emerging Public Leaders, please visit: www.emergingpublicleaders.org.