Mindanao YLP Applications

Mindanao Young Leaders programme application

- Step 1 of 6

APPLICANTS MUST

be aged 23-30 years
be working for a community-based organisation or NGO such as a women’s or indigenous organisation, labour union, or environmental group
intend to continue working for your organisation for a minimum of one year after completing the programme
have support to participate in the programme from the organisation you represent or work for, including flexibility to attend online study sessions during office hours
have English language proficiency equivalent to ≥5.5 IELTS or > TOEFL 46-59. This level is necessary to ensure that the participants will get value from the programme, particularly the Sustainable Development Course. Note: you are not required to sit an IELTS or TOEFL test, but an English language test will be administered at the interview stage.
be available to participate in a full-time residential of 2 weeks
not be enrolled in any other full-time courses of study or a similar scholarship/fellowship during the Sustainable Development Course (SDC)
talk to UnionAID before enrolling in any other part-time courses during the SDC
hold, or be able to obtain, a passport issued by the Government of the Philippines valid for 6 months beyond the return departure date from Aotearoa New Zealand.

Please read through the application criteria and the prospectus carefully and confirm that *

YES, I meet all the criteria listed above and I have read the prospectus.
NO, I do not meet all the criteria listed above

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(Section 2) PERSONAL INFORMATION

1. Full Name *

First

Last

2. Preferred First Name *

3. Gender identity *

Gender non-conforming
Genderqueer
Intersex
Man (assigned by birth)
Mentefuwaley
Non-binary
Transgender Man
Transgender Woman
Woman (assigned by birth)
Other: please indicate

Select the term(s), with which you most identity with

3.a In your own words, what is your gender identity (optional)? 

4. Gender pronouns *

She/Her/Hers
They/Them/Theirs/Mx
He/Him/His
Ze/Hir/Hirs
No pronoun
I don’t know
Other: please indicate ______________

Pronouns are a part of speech used to refer to someone in the third person. We want to know how to respectfully refer to you.

Inclusion

If there are any access requirements you would like us to be aware of, please answer the questions below. Any information given regarding personal access requirements will be used to inform access. All information will be kept confidential.

We strive to host inclusive, accessible activities that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. We want to create a safe, welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

Here’s a high-level overview of the programme to give you an idea of what will happen after the applications. If you are short-listed, you will need to travel to Davao to attend an in-person panel interview in March. Successful applicants will attend an in-person workshop in June for two weeks and part-time online classes for 12 weeks before travelling to New Zealand in September for a further 12 weeks.

5. How can we ensure that you can effectively participate in the selections and the programme if you are selected? For example: wheelchair access, reserved front row seat, gender neutral bathroom, diet restrictions, captioning, large prints on materials, access to internet, sign language interpreter. 

6. Date of Birth *

7. Country or countries of citizenship  *

8. Do you have a passport that expires AFTER 30 June 2027 *

9. Email *

10. Mobile Phone *

11. Current Address *

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State / Province / Region

Postal Code

Country

12. What is your ethnic background? *

13. What is your religion? (if any) *

14. How did you hear about the Mindanao Young Leaders Programme? Please give details. *

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(Section 3) EMPLOYMENT

Your Civil Society Organisation

The term civil society organisations (CSO) can be used to describe non-governmental (NGO) and not-for-profit organisations that operate separately from the family, state and the market. CSOs work in wide ranging areas including social and economic development, human rights, indigenous development, environmental protection, and emergency relief. CSOs include trade unions, community-based organisations, social movements, faith-based institutions, charitable organisations, universities, social enterprises, and foundations (The World Bank, 2005).

15. Name of your Civil society organisation (CSO) (where you work/volunteer)  *

16. Address of civil society organisation *

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State / Province / Region

Postal Code

Country

17. CSO website or Facebook page *

17.a Provide the link to your CSO’s website or Facebook page  *

18. Type of civil society organisation (choose as many as apply) *

Local NGO
National NGO
Branch/Partner of International NGO
Trade Union
Community Organisation
Student Organisation
Cooperative
Social enterprise

19. What does your civil society organisation do? *

Maximum of 250 words

20. When was your civil society organisation established? *

21. Is your civil society organisation registered at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)? *

(Note: Your CSO is not required to be SEC registered to apply to the programme)

22. What is your job/role title? *

Your job at your CSO

23. When did you join your CSO organisation? *

24. Brief description of the tasks you do in your CSO organisation (your job description) *

25. Is the work at your CSO paid or voluntary *

Voluntary
Paid
Mixture of paid and voluntary

26. Does your CSO organisation support your application? *

YES, my CSO supports my application
NO, my CSO does not support my application
I haven’t asked my CSO yet

27. Do you have any other employment? *

27.a Please provide the name of your employer and type of employment *

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(Section 4) YOUR EDUCATION

28. Highest Educational Qualification *

Include the name of the school or university

29. Have you completed an IELTS,TOEFL or other internationally recognised academic English language test? *

(Note: you are not required to sit an IELTS or TOEFL test as part of your application, but an English language test will be administered at the interview stage.)

29.a What test did you take?

29.b Please enter your IELTS/TOEFL score .

30. Will you be enrolled in full-time study (apart from MinYLP) in 2026?  *

31. Have you received an international scholarship or fellowship previously? *

31.a Please give details of your previous scholarship or fellowship:

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(Section 5) INTERESTS/HOBBIES AND VOLUNTARY WORK

32. Briefly describe your hobbies and interests. *

33. What other voluntary work or commitments do you have (which you have not already mentioned)? *

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Section 6: COMMUNITY BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE
We strongly discourage the use of Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT to generate answers for the essay questions. Using these models often results in very similar answers, lacks a personal voice, and rarely achieves high quality.

We understand that English may not be your first language, and we are happy to accept written submissions that are not polished but accurately reflect your authentic voice and background. MinYLP values the unique perspectives, life experiences, knowledge, self-expression, skills, and talent that each Young Leader brings to the programme. Authentic expression resonates far deeper than standard essays that may lack personal touch. Keep being you!

34. Describe your interest in the Mindanao Young Leaders Programme and how you hope this programme can assist you in your personal development and your community work *

Minimum of 250 words

35. Describe a development challenge in your community or area you live in which you would like to learn more about through your participation in this programme. Please tell us why you are interested in this issue and how it relates to your current work *

Minimum of 250 words

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