The Centre for Inclusive Social Development (CISD) is introducing YouthFORGE, a national civic innovation lab designed to move young Nigerians from frustration to action.
YouthFORGE is not a training or seminar. It is a deployment platform that equips young people to understand governance, design practical solutions, and implement real projects that create measurable impact in their communities.
Selected participants will take part in a 3-day Civic Innovation Lab in Abuja, followed by a 45–60-day Civic Sprint, during which they will execute community-based projects and engage directly with stakeholders and institutions.
Why We Are Doing This
Across Nigeria, many young people are aware of governance challenges but lack structured pathways to take meaningful action.
There is a clear gap:
- Young people are often engaged as observers, not contributors
- Civic participation is frequently limited to discussions, not implementation
- Opportunities to connect ideas with real-world impact remain limited
YouthFORGE was designed to bridge this gap by providing a platform where young Nigerians can move beyond ideas and actively shape governance outcomes.
What Participants Will Do
Through YouthFORGE, participants will:
- Identify real governance or community challenges
- Design practical, actionable solutions
- Engage institutions, stakeholders, and decision-makers
- Execute civic projects within their communities
- Showcase their work through media and public platforms
What Makes YouthFORGE Different
YouthFORGE is built around action and impact:
- Focus on execution, not just learning
- Direct engagement with governance systems
- Real-world project deployment
- Opportunities for visibility and institutional interaction
What We Aim to Achieve
Through this programme, CISD aims to:
- Build governance and power literacy among young Nigerians
- Strengthen youth participation in policy and accountability processes
- Support community-driven solutions
- Develop a pipeline of credible, action-oriented civic leaders
Who Should Apply
YouthFORGE is open to young Nigerians who are:
- Aged 18–27
- Based in Abuja for the in-person lab
- Students, NYSC members, early professionals, or community organisers
- Passionate about governance, development, or social impact
- Ready to take action and drive change
Looking Ahead
By the end of YouthFORGE, participants will not just be informed. They will be actively contributing to governance, influencing policy conversations, and leading real solutions in their communities.
At CISD, we believe young people are not just the future. They are active agents of change today.
Apply Now
If you are ready to move from ideas to action, apply here:
bit.ly/Youthforgeapply
The Centre for Inclusive Social Development (CISD) is a non-profit research and advocacy organisation working to advance inclusive governance, gender and social equity, civic technology, and sustainable livelihoods across Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa. Through rigorous research, coalition-building, and public-interest storytelling, CISD amplifies the voices of marginalised communities and holds power accountable.
Learn more at cisdnigeria.org or follow us on social media.
How to cite this article
CISD. (2026, March 31). ONGOING: YouthFORGE: From Frustration to Action. CISD Insights. Centre for Inclusive Social Development. Retrieved from https://cisdnigeria.org/article/ongoing-youthforge-from-frustration-to-action/.
