Mindanao Young Leaders Programme 2026 Fellowship: Leadership Training and Aotearoa New Zealand Exchange

If you are a committed community leader in Mindanao aged 23–30 and hungry for practical leadership skills, cross-cultural experience, and the time to plan a real community project, the Mindanao Young Leaders Programme (MinYLP) 2026 is worth your attention. This is not a conference or a certificate mill. It is a focused capacity-sharing programme that selects ten emerging leaders each year to deepen their knowledge, sharpen their practical skills, and return home ready to take on development and peacebuilding work with renewed confidence.

MinYLP blends local reflection with international exposure: you’ll study issues affecting your region, design a participatory Action Project for your community, and participate in a residential Sustainable Development Course in Aotearoa New Zealand. If you work for a community-based organisation — a women’s or Indigenous group, an environmental collective, a union, or an NGO — and plan to stay with that organisation after the programme, this is specifically designed for you.

Below I walk you through everything that matters: who should apply, what the programme actually gives you, how selection works, the exact documents you’ll need, and real, practical tips that increase your chance of being one of the ten chosen participants.

At a Glance

What This Opportunity Offers

MinYLP is a hands-on leadership programme: think of it as professional development with a project attached. Over the course of the programme you’ll be invited to examine a real development challenge from your community, research it at a practical level, and draft a participatory Action Project that you can implement when you return home. That kind of applied focus is what separates a good workshop from one that changes practices.

The programme includes an intensive two-week residential Sustainable Development Course in Aotearoa New Zealand. Residential courses are cramped with learning: workshops, field visits, group facilitation practice, and time to reflect away from everyday demands. Participants return with more than new knowledge — they gain relationships, methods for inclusive project design, and fresh approaches to working across ethnic and religious divides.

Beyond the course, MinYLP emphasizes cross-ethnic and cross-religious collaboration. You will be part of a cohort chosen deliberately for diversity, which means you’ll learn how to collaborate across differences — a skill that matters enormously when the aim is peaceful, community-led development. The programme expects participants to stay with their organisations for at least a year after completion, so the benefit flows back into local groups rather than creating short-term personal gains.

Finally, MinYLP gives you space and time to plan: it’s not just training. You’ll produce an Action Project proposal ready for piloting. Think of the programme as both a learning laboratory and a planning retreat: you gather tools in New Zealand and leave with a plan you can take back to your community.

Who Should Apply

MinYLP is aimed at mid-to-young professionals rooted in community work. If you are between 23 and 30, live and work in Mindanao, and are employed by a community-based organisation or NGO — for example a women’s group, Indigenous organisation, environmental collective, or labour union — you fit the basic profile.

But meeting the basic profile is only the start. The programme favors applicants who have demonstrable commitments to local development and to staying with their organisation for at least a year after returning. That means volunteers who treat community work as a long-term vocation, not just a stopgap, stand a stronger chance. If you already lead a local programme, manage a small project, coordinate volunteers, or are an active organiser on a specific issue, make that central to your application.

MinYLP values cross-ethnic and cross-religious engagement. If your track record includes collaborative work across faith or ethnic lines, make that clear with concrete examples: joint events you organised, dialogues you facilitated, conflict-resolution techniques you used. If you haven’t had that opportunity yet but plan to use skills from the programme to start such work, make a convincing case in your Action Project idea.

English competence is required but you won’t be stranded if you’re nervous about formal test scores. While they reference an IELTS equivalent of 5.5 (TOEFL 46–59) as guidance, applicants don’t have to submit IELTS; UnionAID administers an English test during the interview stage. Still, be ready to demonstrate conversational and academic English that can handle workshop activities and written project planning.

Real-world example: Maria, 27, a programme officer at a women’s cooperative in Cotabato, applied with a pilot idea to improve market access for maternal crafts. She had five years of community organising experience, letters of organisational support and a clear plan to pilot a week-long women’s training after the course. That’s the kind of profile MinYLP looks for.

Selection Criteria Explained

Selection is competitive and holistic. The panel looks for demonstrated leadership and clear future leadership potential. That doesn’t mean having a high-level title — it means showing initiative, responsibility, and the ability to get things done in community settings.

Commitment to community development is essential. Selection favors those who can show sustained engagement rather than one-off volunteering. Expect to explain your role, results, and how your work connects to broader community needs.

Working across ethnic and religious groups is highlighted because MinYLP aims to strengthen social cohesion. Include examples of how you’ve engaged across differences, and reflect honestly on challenges you faced.

Support from your organisation is a major practical requirement. The selection team wants confirmation that your employer will allow you the time to attend online study sessions and take around 12 weeks total leave to participate in New Zealand activities. A formal letter or statement of support is necessary.

Lastly, your Action Project idea must be relevant and feasible. The project should be tied to a clear challenge in your community and realistic to begin piloting within the resources and timeline you have.

Insider Tips for a Winning Application

1. Tell a tight story. Your application should answer three basic questions in quick succession: What is the problem? How have you engaged with it? What will you do differently after MinYLP? Keep each answer short, concrete, and backed with evidence — numbers, dates, short anecdotes.

2. Use organizational support as proof, not paperwork. A letter that says “we support this” is weak. Ask your supervisor to specify exactly how they will support you: will they cover your local duties while you’re away? Will they allocate budget for a pilot? Will they commit to keeping you employed for 12 months? Concrete commitments carry weight.

3. Frame your Action Project as a pilot, not a blueprint for national reform. Reviewers want projects that can be started with limited resources and show measurable early outcomes. Propose a clear first step (a 3–6 month pilot), describe one or two indicators of success, and mention partners or resources you already have.

4. Prepare for the English screening. Practice explaining your Action Project aloud in English, focusing on clarity rather than fancy words. At interview stage you’ll be evaluated for English proficiency — being able to speak clearly about your plan is often more important than perfect grammar.

5. Highlight cross-group collaboration with specifics. Don’t write “I work across ethnic groups.” Instead say, “I co-facilitated three peace dialogues between Group A and Group B in 2024; attendance rose from 20 to 65 by the third session, and post-session feedback showed a 40% drop in reported tensions in participating villages.”

6. Make feasibility visible in your budget sketch and timeline. Even a one-page budget showing basic costs for a pilot (materials, transport, modest stipends) tells reviewers you’ve thought through practicality. Pair that with a simple Gantt-style timeline: Month 1 preparation, Month 2 pilot launch, Month 3 monitoring and adjustments.

7. Get three reviewers and iterate. Before you submit, share your application with someone inside your sector, someone at your organisation’s leadership level, and a trusted colleague outside your field who can flag jargon. Revise based on the feedback.

8. Be honest about risks and mitigations. If there’s a chance your pilot may not reach certain communities due to security or travel limits, say so and explain your backup plan. Reviewers prefer realistic planning to overblown promises.

Application Timeline (Realistic)

Work backward from the deadline: 25 January 2026, 11:59 pm Philippine Time. Start at least six weeks ahead.

• Weeks 6–5: Draft your Action Project concept and request an organisational support letter. Do not leave the support letter to the last week — supervisors are busy.
• Weeks 4–3: Circulate your draft to reviewers. Prepare concise answers to likely interview questions in English and practise speaking them aloud.
• Weeks 2–1: Final edits, proofread, and convert documents to required formats. Reconfirm passport validity and any institutional signoffs.
• Final 48 hours: Submit at least 24 hours before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues. Double-check you included all supporting documents and that your contact information is current.

If you’re called for interview, allow extra time for the English screening and any short written tasks.

Required Materials

Most applications require a completed application form and a set of supporting documents. Typical required items include your personal statement or project proposal, CV, organisational support letter, passport copy, and contact details for referees. Because the English test occurs at interview stage, you don’t need to submit IELTS scores upfront — but be ready to demonstrate competency when asked.

Prepare the following well in advance:

• A concise Action Project proposal (1–2 pages) with clear objectives and a simple timeline.
• A CV focused on community work and leadership roles.
• A signed letter from your employer confirming support, time release, and commitment to your employment for at least one year post-programme.
• Passport scan showing validity for six months beyond your planned return date.
• Names and contact details of two referees who can speak to your leadership and community work.

If you plan to travel for the residential course, check passport and visa timelines early. Visa processing can take longer than you expect.

What Makes an Application Stand Out

Exceptional applications combine clear intent, practical experience, and organisational backing. Standout applicants often present a focused Action Project that addresses a tangible problem, demonstrates some prior work or pilot activity, and has a plan for measurable early outcomes. Applications that show how skills acquired in New Zealand will be directly applied at home are stronger.

Diversity of experience matters too. Applicants who can show work with marginalised groups, or who have navigated inter-community tensions responsibly, will attract attention. Finally, demonstrating institutional commitment — a signed support letter that details how the organisation will back your post-programme activities — is a practical differentiator.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

One: vague project descriptions. If your Action Project reads like an aspiration rather than a plan, reviewers will be skeptical. Avoid fluffy language. Instead, lay out specific steps and expected short-term results.

Two: weak organisational support. A half-hearted letter or an unsigned commitment is a red flag. Obtain a clear, signed letter that states how your employer will support your participation and post-programme work.

Three: last-minute submissions. Technical problems happen. Submit early and confirm receipt.

Four: overreaching projects. If your proposal asks to fix a systemic problem in one paragraph without resources, scale it down. Propose a feasible pilot with measurable indicators.

Five: ignoring the English requirement. Even if IELTS isn’t required, poor spoken English at interview can derail an application. Practice and prepare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to pay to join MinYLP?
A: The application itself is free. Details about travel and living expenses are managed by UnionAID; the programme covers the residential course for selected participants. Confirm specifics on the official page or with programme staff if you have concerns about incidental costs.

Q: Can applicants from outside Mindanao apply?
A: MinYLP is designed for those living and working in Mindanao. If you work in another region but plan to do community work in Mindanao, check with UnionAID before applying.

Q: What is the time commitment?
A: Expect full-time participation for a two-week residential course and additional online study sessions. Your organisation must provide flexibility for about 12 weeks total for the programme activities.

Q: Will participants receive funding for their Action Project?
A: The programme helps you prepare an Action Project proposal. Funding for implementation is not guaranteed; however, the proposal will be ready to seek local or donor support after the programme.

Q: What happens after the course?
A: You return with a plan and contacts. UnionAID encourages follow-up and may provide networking opportunities; long-term project funding or implementation support depends on your organisation and local partners.

Q: I have limited formal education but strong community experience. Do I qualify?
A: Yes. The programme values demonstrated leadership and community commitment. Make your experience clear in the application and through referees.

How to Apply / Next Steps

Ready to get started? Plan your timeline, draft a tight Action Project proposal, and request an organisational support letter now. Begin practising English responses for the interview and double-check passport validity.

Visit the official application page and submit the application form before 25 January 2026, 11:59 pm Philippine Time. For full details, eligibility criteria and the online application form, go to: https://unionaid.org.nz/young-leaders-programmes/mindanao-young-leaders-programme/mindanao-ylp-criteria/mindanao-ylp-applications/

If you have questions, contact UnionAID through the website. And one last practical tip: write your application as if you’re explaining your project to a committed colleague who knows the context but not the details — clear, practical, and persuasive. Good luck — you’ve already taken the first step by looking into this.