Youth Advisory Squad (YAS) Leadership Accelerator Fellowship 2026–2027 Applications Open: Earn a $500 Scholarship, Develop Leadership Skills, and Become a Youth Advocate Against Child Sexual Exploitation

Applications are now open for the Youth Advisory Squad (YAS) Leadership Accelerator Fellowship 2026–2027, a transformative virtual youth leadership program designed to empower young people with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities needed to become effective advocates, advisors, and changemakers within their communities.

Organized by OneChild, the Youth Advisory Squad (YAS) is a free virtual scholarship and empowerment program that equips young people with leadership skills while engaging them in the global effort to end the sexual exploitation of children. The fellowship provides a unique opportunity for youth to gain practical advocacy experience, receive professional mentorship, and contribute to meaningful social change.

Young people who are passionate about community development, child protection, leadership, and advocacy are encouraged to apply before the application deadline.

Application Deadline: August 15, 2026

What is the Youth Advisory Squad (YAS) Leadership Accelerator Fellowship?

The Youth Advisory Squad (YAS) is a youth-centered leadership development initiative that seeks to engage and empower young leaders to become ambassadors, advisors, and advocates within their communities and beyond.

The fellowship aims to provide participants with the tools and knowledge necessary to understand and address issues related to the sexual exploitation of children while developing leadership and professional skills that can support their future educational and career goals.

Through a structured virtual learning experience, fellows actively participate in discussions, training sessions, advocacy activities, and community projects designed to create real-world impact.

Program Duration and Structure

The YAS Leadership Accelerator Fellowship runs from September 2026 to June 2027.

The program is entirely virtual, making it accessible to participants regardless of their location.

Key program features include:

• Virtual participation from home
• Biweekly meetings held every other Saturday
• Interactive leadership development sessions
• Expert-led training workshops
• Community engagement opportunities
• Collaborative learning with fellow youth leaders

This flexible online format allows participants to balance their educational commitments while actively engaging in the fellowship experience.

What Participants Will Learn

The fellowship provides extensive training in leadership and advocacy-related areas that are essential for young changemakers.

Participants will receive training in:

1. Advocacy Skills

Fellows will learn how to advocate effectively for issues affecting children and youth while influencing positive change within their communities.

2. Public Speaking

Participants will develop confidence and communication skills necessary for speaking in public settings, presentations, meetings, and advocacy campaigns.

3. Facilitation Skills

The program teaches youth how to lead discussions, coordinate group activities, and facilitate meaningful conversations within community and organizational settings.

4. Action Planning

Fellows will learn how to design and implement practical projects that address social issues and create measurable impact.

5. Child Protection Awareness

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of:

• Sexual exploitation of children
• Child protection challenges
• Prevention strategies
• Community awareness approaches
• Youth participation in safeguarding efforts

Capstone Community Project

One of the most important components of the fellowship is the mandatory capstone project.

Each participant will be required to design and implement a project within their school or community that addresses issues connected to child protection, youth advocacy, awareness creation, or social impact.

The capstone project allows fellows to apply the knowledge and leadership skills gained throughout the fellowship while making a direct contribution to their communities.

Learn from Industry Experts and Guest Speakers

Throughout the fellowship, participants will engage with guest speakers and professionals from various sectors.

These experts provide valuable insights into:

• Leadership development
• Youth engagement
• Advocacy campaigns
• Social impact initiatives
• Community organizing
• Career development pathways

Exposure to experienced professionals helps participants expand their networks and gain practical knowledge that can support their future aspirations.

Opportunity to Shape Youth Engagement Strategies

An important aspect of the fellowship is the opportunity for participants to contribute directly to OneChild’s youth engagement initiatives.

Fellows will:

• Share perspectives and experiences
• Provide feedback on youth programs
• Offer recommendations for future initiatives
• Help strengthen youth-focused strategies

This advisory role ensures that young voices remain central to decision-making processes affecting youth programs.

Benefits of the YAS Leadership Accelerator Fellowship

Successful completion of the fellowship comes with several valuable benefits.

Financial Support

Each fellow who successfully completes the program receives:

A $500 Scholarship

This scholarship serves as recognition of the fellow’s commitment, participation, and contribution throughout the program.

Professional Recognition

Graduates receive:

• A personalized letter of reference
• A certificate of completion

These credentials can strengthen future scholarship, internship, educational, and employment applications.

Internship Opportunities

Top-performing fellows and alumni gain access to:

Competitive and limited paid Summer Internship opportunities with OneChild.

These internships provide additional professional experience and career development opportunities.

Leadership and Career Development

Participants also benefit from:

• Enhanced leadership skills
• Increased confidence
• Expanded professional networks
• Community engagement experience
• Career readiness development
• Real-world advocacy experience

Why You Should Apply

The Youth Advisory Squad Leadership Accelerator Fellowship is more than a leadership program. It is an opportunity for young people to become active participants in addressing important social challenges while developing skills that will benefit them throughout their academic and professional journeys.

By joining the fellowship, participants gain valuable leadership experience, build meaningful connections, contribute to child protection efforts, and position themselves for future educational and career opportunities.

Application Deadline

Applications are currently open and will close on:

August 15, 2026

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible because interviews will be scheduled immediately after applications are received.

How to Apply

Interested applicants can submit their applications online through the official application portal.

Prospective fellows should carefully complete their applications and prepare for the interview process following submission.

Discover more global accelerator programs on OFY here