KINGSGATE YOUNG SCHOLARS ACADEMY
Equipping Youth to Lead Policy Transformation in Fragile and Conflict-Affected States
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A digital-first policy academy designed for youth in fragile and conflict-affected
states—whether displaced or at risk. We combine world-class training, expert
mentorship, and job pathways to turn resilience into leadership.
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Africa’s youth in fragile and conflict-affected states (FCAS) face disrupted education,
limited access to dignified work, and exclusion from policy leadership. Despite significant
efforts by both domestic and international actors, youth are often treated as beneficiaries
rather than empowered change agents.

Kingsgate’s Young Scholars Academy addresses this by providing policy-oriented
training tailored to FCAS realities, enabling youth to co-lead evidence-based reforms.


🌍 About the Academy

The Kingsgate Young Scholars Academy is a flagship program of Kingsgate Advisors Institute dedicated to empowering young people (primarily between the ages of 18 and 35) in fragile and conflict-affected states (FCAS) in Africa. This includes both youth who have already been displaced and those still living in contexts where instability, fragility, or conflict put their futures at risk. Our mission is to ensure that these young people — who are too often excluded from formal systems — are equipped with the analytical, policy, and leadership skills to secure dignified work, influence decision-making, and co-lead evidence-based policy initiatives and reforms. With a firm commitment to gender inclusion, we aim to have at least 70% of participants as young women, who often face the most significant barriers in FCAS countries.

Why the academy matters

For youth in FCAS:

Whether displaced or residing in a country classified as FCAS, participants acquire job-ready skills, build professional networks, and access opportunities to move into dignified employment or entrepreneurship.

For Institutions:

Governments, policy organisations, the private sector, think tanks and international development organisations benefit from a pipeline of skilled young professionals who understand the nuances of driving policy change initiatives in fragile contexts.

For Ecosystems:

A critical mass of youth leaders strengthens fragile state policy systems, drives inclusive development, and helps prevent the next wave of displacement.

our training approach
Our academy offers a digital-first, low-bandwidth learning model that ensures accessibility even in environments with limited connectivity. The programme combines rigorous academic content with practical, policy-focused material, allowing youth to both learn and develop requisite skills, regardless of their location.

The Curriculum

Our curriculum, tailored to the context FCAS, includes the following modules:

📚 Module 1

  • Developing the Analytical Frame of Mind

🌍 Module 2 & 3

  • The Foundations of Policy Analysis
  • Practical Principles of Policy Analysis

📊 Module 4 & 5

  • The Foundations of Economic Policy
  • Introduction to Models and Methods for Economic Policy Evaluation and Analysis

📄 Module 6 & 7

  • Economic Policy in Fragile and Conflict-Affected States I
  • Economic Policy in Fragile and Conflict-Affected States II

🔄 Module 8 & 9

  • The Political Economy of Public Policy in FCAS I
  • The Political Economy of Public Policy in FCAS II

🔎 Module 10

  • Capstone Project – Learners author a policy brief addressing urgent FCAS challenges.

🌱 Expected Outcomes

Individual Impact

Youth gain job-ready policy, analytical, and leadership skills that translate into employment, consulting, and entrepreneurship.

Institutional Impact

Governments, policy organisations, the private sector, think tanks and international development organisations benefit from a pipeline of skilled young professionals who understand the nuances of driving policy change initiatives in fragile contexts.

Ecosystem Impact

A critical mass of youth policy entrepreneurs emerges, strengthening fragile state policy ecosystems, reducing exclusion, and driving inclusive growth.

What Makes our Academy Unique

Get Involved

Youth (18–35 in FCAS)

Apply to the next cohort and start building your pathway to dignified work. The call for applications will be out before the end of the year.

Funders & Partners

Support a program that transforms fragility into leadership and strengthens Africa’s policy ecosystems.

Institutions

Host an intern or partner with us to co-create solutions for fragile states.

MEET THE FIRST COHORT OF THE YOUNG SCHOLARS ACADEMY