The Youth Leadership Programme (YLP) is a regional initiative under UNDP’s Bureau of Arab States (RBAS), launched in 2015 to foster a dynamic network at the intersection of youth, innovation, and sustainable development. As part of the broader UNDP SHABABEEK – Youth Empowerment, Engagement and Knowledge Project, YLP provides holistic support to young people by building partnerships and creating an enabling environment for youth to actively contribute to their societies.
Since its inception, YLP has been implemented in 18 Arab countries, engaging over 30,000 young women and men and creating a network of more than 80 youth-serving organizations. Participants have launched successful small businesses, won municipal elections, received awards for innovative solutions, and presented their ideas at global and regional platforms, including the ECOSOC Youth Forum at the UN Headquarters in New York and regional conferences on youth learning, skilling, and transition to decent work.
UNDP Bahrain joined YLP in its third edition in 2017. Over the past eight years, UNDP, in partnership with youth-serving organizations, the Ministry of Youth Affairs, and the YLP Bahrain Community—including alumni, facilitators, and partners—has worked to train and build youth capacity to drive development and progress in their communities. Continuous support from the Kooheji Foundation has helped shape the programme to deliver high-quality sustainable development leadership training in Bahrain.
The YLP11 edition is planned and implemented through close collaboration with the YLP11 National Committee, which includes young representatives from UNDP Bahrain, the Ministry of Youth Affairs, the Kooheji Foundation, AlMabarrah AlKhalifia Foundation, INJAZ Bahrain, Global Shapers Manama Hub, Youth Pioneer Society, AIESEC Bahrain, and YLP alumni. This collaboration ensures a comprehensive and community-driven approach to youth leadership development in the country.
