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The Youth In Development (YID) Fellowship equips young changemakers all over the world with the knowledge, skills, connections, and support needed to build ventures that drive both social impact and sustainable development. It’s about helping people who want to make a difference in their community kickstart their social change adventure.
Launched in 2019 with 24 fellows from Nigeria, the program has since expanded to 68 fellows from 28 countries for its 2024 cohort!
Over the last six months, our fellows have been hard at work building their social enterprises and forming a global network of support. As part of the fellowship, they completed three intensive online courses that covered a range of essential topics: from developing a theory of change and building a viable business model to creating a social impact measurement plan and mastering the art of storytelling to deliver a compelling pitch.
In addition to these courses, our fellows participated in live workshops with accomplished social entrepreneurs who generously shared their expertise, encouraging the fellows to refine and elevate their ventures. Throughout the program, we’ve also provided opportunities for personalized feedback, including pitch deck reviews, website audits, branding support, and more—ensuring that each fellow is set up for success.
The incredible journey culminated on September 28 with our Social Enterprise Showcase, where five fellows presented their social enterprises: Yumkins, Kimuli Collections, Eco Nasi, Volcard, and Solafam—each tackling critical issues identified in their communities. This event gave fellows the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and showcase their ventures to a panel of judges for a chance to receive the Youth in Development 2024 Venture Development prize fund.
Meet the Ventures
Kimuli Collections
Founder: Zaharah Nabirye, Uganda
Kimuli Collections transforms plastic waste into eco-fashion, blending environmental sustainability with social inclusion. The skilled team includes individuals with disabilities, making a dual impact: addressing the global plastic crisis and challenging disability stereotypes.
Eco Nasi
Founder: Olivia Awuor Okinyi, Kenya
Eco Nasi is developing the world’s most sustainable vegan leather alternative by harnessing the regenerative potential of pineapple pulp. Their mission is to transform leather production into a force for good that protects the planet, empowers vulnerable communities and provides farmers with new economic opportunities.
VolCard
Founder: Abhishek Saini, India (based in the UK)
VolCard is not just a digital platform, it’s a movement aimed at revolutionizing volunteer engagement in India. It will streamline the process of tracking volunteering hours, rewarding contributions, and discovering opportunities, empowering a vibrant community of volunteers dedicated to making a positive impact.
Solafam
Founder: Ainomugisha Shifra, Uganda
Solafam offers solar-powered cold storage units and a digital market linkage platform, Lyn. These cold storage units help preserve perishable goods, reducing spoilage, while Lyn connects farmers directly with buyers, optimizing sales timing and pricing. Their mission is to empower rural farmers in Uganda through sustainable energy solutions and market access enhancing their livelihoods and climate resilience.
Yumkins
Founder: Hira Mubeen, Pakistan
Yumkins is dedicated to combating childhood malnutrition by offering chemical-free, natural baby food products to children across Pakistan, empowering parents to make better food choices for their babies.
Catch the Showcase Highlights
Missed the live event? No problem! Watch key moments from the showcase on Vimeo. Below, you can explore each venture’s prerecorded pitch, the announcement of our winners, and hear directly from the winners themselves as they share their reflections and future plans.
We are incredibly proud of all our fellows for their hard work and dedication over the past six months. Congratulations to Yumkins and Solafam for being selected as our top ventures! As this year’s YID fellowship comes to a close, we look forward to seeing how these ventures continue to grow and create lasting impact in their communities and beyond.
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