Youth Entrepreneurship & Leadership Accelerator (YELA) Program

The Youth Entrepreneurship & Leadership Accelerator (YELA) is a flagship initiative by the Tanzania Projects Organization. The program is designed to equip Tanzanian youth with 21st-century skills in leadership, entrepreneurship, and financial self-reliance. By offering a multi-phased approach, YELA empowers young people to not only envision their future but actively create it through community-driven businesses, mentorship, and social impact projects.

We believe in the power of youth to shape their communities and drive sustainable development across Tanzania.

Program Overview Section

Our Program Model: Learn, Do, Teach, RIPPLE EFFECT

The YELA Program is structured in three core phases to ensure that participants learn essential skills, apply them in real-world contexts, and then teach others to expand the program’s impact through a RIPPLE EFFECT approach.

Phase 1: Learn

Participants receive foundational training in leadership, financial literacy, business skills, and job readiness.
Hands-on workshops led by local and international experts.

Phase 2: Do

Youth create and develop their own businesses or community projects with the support of mentors and incubation resources.
Access to seed funding for viable projects.

Phase 3: Teach

Graduates give back by mentoring others, replicating the knowledge and skills they’ve gained.
The RIPPLE EFFECT model ensures that every participant impacts at least three more people.

Why YELA?

Tanzania Needs Youth-Led Innovation and Leadership

With youth making up over 60% of Tanzania’s population and high unemployment rates, especially in rural areas, the YELA program provides a solution. The program addresses:

Limited access to formal employment opportunities.
Lack of entrepreneurial skills and mentorship.
Gaps in leadership and business training tailored to Tanzanian youth.

Through YELA, participants not only gain the tools to thrive economically but also become leaders in their communities, driving social change and improving livelihoods.

Impact and Results Section

Measuring Our Impact

We don’t just offer training; we measure real outcomes to ensure long-term success for our participants and their communities. Our expectations are:

100% of YELA graduates secure desirable employment or start their own businesses within 6 months.
50% increase in financial self-reliance among participants.
1:221 multiplier effect: for every YELA graduate, 0more lives to be impacted through mentorship and community projects.

Our alumni to start businesses in sectors such as agriculture, technology, and sustainable energy, and they are making a real difference in their communities.

Program Features

What Makes YELA Unique?

Tailored Support: Each participant receives individualized mentorship from experienced business leaders and entrepreneurs to guide them through every phase of the program.

Certification & Recognition: Graduates receive formal certification from YELA, recognized by local institutions and employers, improving their employability.

Inclusive and Sustainable: The YELA program is open to all, with a focus on empowering marginalized youth, including women, rural communities, and people with disabilities.

Scalable Impact: Through our RIPPLE EFFECT model, YELA graduates ensure the skills they learn reach wider communities, creating lasting social impact.

Get Involved

Join YELA Today!

Are you a young person looking to start your own business or build leadership skills? Or are you an organization or donor interested in supporting youth empowerment in Tanzania? Here’s how you can get involved:

For Youth Participants:

Apply to Join YELA:

Requirements:

Age: 15-29 years
Resident of Tanzania
Passionate about entrepreneurship and leadership

For Mentors and Partners:

Become a Mentor:

Share your expertise and guide the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Partner with Us:

Collaborate to bring more resources, funding, and opportunities to our youth.

For Donors:

Support Youth Empowerment:

Your contribution goes directly to supporting youth-led businesses, training programs, and community initiatives.

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