About the Active Youth Program
Advanced Diploma in Democracy, Governance & Participation
Apply Now for the 5th BatchAbout the Active Youth Program
The Active Youth Program (AYP) is a flagship initiative of the International Youth Alliance for Peace designed to bridge the critical gap between youth awareness and civic action in Sri Lanka.
While many young people are exposed to discussions on governance, democracy, and rights, meaningful participation remains limited.
AYP addresses this gap by providing a structured, diploma-level learning experience that combines:
Civic education
Critical thinking
Research and analysis
Real-world community implementation
Participants are not only trained — they are required to design and implement real community interventions, ensuring that learning translates into measurable impact.
This is not a training program
This is a leadership and action-based experience
Mission
To develop action-oriented youth leaders who not only understand democratic processes but actively contribute to their communities through informed, responsible, and impactful civic engagement.
Vision
To build a generation of young leaders who practice active citizenship, accountability, and inclusive governance, strengthening democratic culture at the community level.
Program Phases
Strategic Course on Democracy, Governance and Participation
Establishing Foundations for Civic Understanding
Duration: 16 weeks
This phase introduced participants to the fundamental concepts of democracy, governance, transparency, and accountability, providing a structured entry point into civic education.
Through guided learning and discussion-based sessions, participants developed a foundational understanding of how democratic systems function and the role of citizens within them.
The program emphasized awareness, critical thinking, and informed participation, laying the groundwork for deeper engagement in subsequent phases.
This phase focused on understanding before action
Key Activities
Phase Outputs
Impact
Established a strong foundation in democratic principles, governance systems, and civic responsibility, enabling participants to develop informed perspectives and initial engagement in public discourse and community-level issues.
Creative Diploma in Democracy, Governance, and Participation
Expanding Understanding into Application
Duration: 6 months
This phase marked a significant transition from foundational learning to interactive, application-based engagement.
Participants engaged in structured sessions combined with research, dialogue, and critical exploration of governance challenges, enabling them to connect theoretical understanding with real-world issues.
The program emphasized analytical thinking, discussion-based learning, and participant-led inquiry, preparing participants for deeper engagement and future action-oriented learning phases.
Key Activities
Phase Outputs
Impact
Strengthened participants’ ability to critically analyze governance challenges and apply democratic concepts in real-world contexts, resulting in research outputs, increased civic awareness, and deeper engagement in community-level discussions.
Advanced Diploma in Democracy, Governance, and Participation
Advancing Knowledge
Duration: 8 Months
The current and most advanced phase focuses on deep learning, critical engagement, and practical application, integrating dialogue, real-world case analysis, and project-based learning.
Key Activities
Phase Outputs
Impact
Developing a new generation of youth leaders who are equipped to analyze, engage, and take action within their communities, moving from knowledge to real-world impact.
Advanced Diploma in Democracy, Governance, and Participation
From Learning to Real Community Action
Duration: 6 months
The fourth phase of the Active Youth Program represents the most advanced and impact-oriented evolution of the initiative, integrating structured civic education with research, leadership development, and mandatory community implementation.
Designed as a flagship diploma-level program, this phase emphasizes:
Critical engagement with democracy and governance
Applied learning and dialogue
Community-based action and leadership
Real-world problem identification and solution design
Participants are not only expected to learn — they are required to conduct surveys, design projects, and implement physical community interventions that create measurable local impact.
This phase strengthens the transition :
Understanding → to Participation → to Leadership
Key Activities
Impact
Developing a new generation of youth leaders equipped to move beyond theory and actively contribute to democratic participation, civic engagement, and community-level impact through real-world implementation and leadership.
PROGRAM TEAM
The program is supported by a dedicated team responsible for curriculum development, coordination, facilitation, and participant engagement, ensuring a structured and impactful learning experience.
Partners and Collaborations
The Active Youth Program is implemented in collaboration with strategic partners committed to youth empowerment, democratic engagement, and civic leadership development, strengthening both learning and outreach impact.
American Center
Join the Active Youth Program
Be part of a transformative program that goes beyond learning and creates real impact. The Active Youth Program is designed for individuals who are ready to engage, contribute, and lead within their communities. Applications are competitive and limited. Take the next step in your leadership journey and become part of a growing network of active youth leaders.