PRIVACY POLICY
The Support Youth Fellowship of Africa (SYFoA) is committed to the responsible stewardship of personal information entrusted to us.
As a leadership fellowship built around personal journeys, reflective leadership, and community transformation, we recognise that the information shared with us may extend beyond ordinary application details. It may include personal experiences, defining moments, aspirations, challenges, and stories that have shaped an individual’s journey.
We therefore approach the collection and use of personal information with a commitment to privacy, dignity, responsibility, and appropriate care.
This Privacy Policy explains how SYFoA collects, uses, stores, protects, and shares personal information when you:
- Visit the SYFoA website;
- Apply for the SYFoA Fellowship;
- Participate in the fellowship selection process;
- Take part in fellowship activities;
- Engage with mentors, facilitators, or programme personnel;
- Communicate with us through email, WhatsApp, social media, or other official channels; or
- Otherwise interact with SYFoA through our digital platforms, events, and programme activities.
By accessing our website, submitting an application, or participating in the SYFoA Fellowship, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.
Concerning The Information We Collect:
The information we collect depends on the nature of your relationship and interaction with SYFoA.
We may collect personal information directly from you, from authorised references or mentors, through fellowship activities, or automatically through our website and digital platforms.
Fellowship Application Information
When you apply for the SYFoA Fellowship, we may collect information including:
- Full name;
- Date of birth or age;
- Country of residence;
- Email address;
- Telephone or WhatsApp number;
- Academic background;
- Professional background;
- Curriculum Vitae or résumé;
- Leadership and community involvement;
- Personal experiences and leadership journey;
- Written application responses;
- Community challenges identified by you;
- Story-Led Project concepts;
- Information concerning your proposed 90-day intervention;
- Mentorship and leadership experience;
- Mentor or leadership reference information;
- Information necessary to assess your availability and commitment;
- English-language proficiency information;
- Passport information or passport validity where required for participation in the fellowship residency;
- Travel feasibility information; and
- Other information voluntarily provided through the application process.
Because SYFoA is a story-led leadership fellowship, applicants may voluntarily share deeply personal experiences relating to adversity, failure, delays, disappointments, defining moments, resilience, transformation, and personal growth.
Applicants should provide only information that is relevant to their application and that they are comfortable sharing for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy.
Information From Mentors and References
SYFoA may require applicants to nominate a mentor or leadership reference who can provide insight into the applicant’s character, teachability, leadership potential, and record of service.
Information collected from or about mentors and references may include:
- Name;
- Professional or leadership role;
- Organisation or affiliation;
- Contact information;
- Nature and duration of the relationship with the applicant;
- Assessment of character;
- Assessment of teachability;
- Information concerning leadership or service experience; and
- Other information voluntarily provided in connection with the reference.
Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they have appropriate permission to provide the contact details of their nominated mentor or reference.
Website and Technical Information
When you visit the SYFoA website, certain technical information may be collected automatically depending on the technologies, systems, and services used to operate the website.
This information may include:
- IP address;
- Browser type;
- Device type;
- Operating system;
- Pages visited;
- Date and time of visits;
- Referring websites;
- General website usage information; and
- Other technical information generated through interaction with our website.
This information may be used to maintain security, understand website usage, improve functionality and performance, and identify technical issues.
How We Use Information We Collect:
SYFoA uses personal information only where it is reasonably necessary to administer, deliver, develop, evaluate, and improve the fellowship and its related activities.
Application Administration
We use application information to receive, process, review, and manage fellowship applications.
Eligibility Assessment
We may use personal information to determine whether applicants meet the eligibility requirements of the fellowship.
This may include assessing requirements relating to:
- Age;
- Country or place of residence;
- English proficiency;
- Availability and commitment;
- Passport requirements;
- Residency participation; and
- Other applicable programme requirements.
Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee selection into the fellowship.
Selection and Evaluation
SYFoA uses a structured selection process to identify applicants who demonstrate the potential and readiness to participate meaningfully in the fellowship.
Applications may be assessed against criteria including:
- Narrative depth;
- Reflective leadership;
- Community-rooted vision;
- Emotional intelligence;
- Initiative;
- Leadership potential;
- Strength of the proposed Story-Led Project;
- Teachability;
- Commitment;
- Character; and
- Readiness.
Applicants may also be assessed through interviews or other evaluation activities forming part of the official selection process.
Fellowship Administration and Delivery
For selected fellows, information may be used to administer and deliver the fellowship experience, including:
- Virtual masterclasses;
- Peer reflection laboratories;
- Mentorship engagements;
- Story-Led Project development;
- Project implementation activities;
- Fellowship residency;
- Immersion experiences;
- Graduation activities; and
- Other official fellowship engagements.
Communication
We may use contact information to communicate with applicants and fellows regarding:
- Applications;
- Interviews;
- Selection outcomes;
- Fellowship activities;
- Programme requirements;
- Important deadlines;
- Residency arrangements;
- Project implementation; and
- Other matters directly connected to participation in SYFoA.
Programme Monitoring, Learning and Improvement
Information may be used to monitor participation, evaluate programme effectiveness, understand outcomes, improve the fellowship experience, and inform the continued development of SYFoA.
Where appropriate, information may also contribute to organisational learning, impact assessment, reporting, and programme development.
Alumni Engagement and Long-Term Collaboration
Information relating to fellows may be used to support the SYFoA Alumni Legacy Circle and facilitate continued engagement following graduation.
This may include:
- Alumni communication;
- Collaboration opportunities;
- Mentorship;
- Professional and leadership networks;
- Cross-border initiatives; and
- Other activities connected to the continuing SYFoA community.
Story-Led Project Presentation
A central component of the SYFoA Fellowship is the development and implementation of a Story-Led Project (SLP).
Each fellow is expected to design, develop, and launch a 90-day community intervention addressing a real-life challenge and informed by their lived experience and leadership journey.
Information relating to a Story-Led Project may include:
- Project concept;
- The challenge being addressed;
- Target community;
- Intended beneficiaries;
- Implementation approach;
- Expected outcomes;
- Sustainability model;
- Revenue or funding approach;
- Project progress;
- Impact information; and
- Project documentation.
This information may be used to provide mentorship, assess project development, support implementation, evaluate funding opportunities, document programme outcomes, and advance the broader objectives of the fellowship.
Personal Stories, Lived Experience and Dignity:
Personal storytelling is central to the philosophy and design of the SYFoA Fellowship.
Applicants and fellows may voluntarily share personal experiences through:
- Fellowship applications;
- Reflection exercises;
- Mentorship engagements;
- Peer reflection laboratories;
- Leadership essays;
- Story-Led Projects;
- Impact documentaries;
- Anthology contributions; and
- Other fellowship activities.
We recognise that these stories may contain sensitive, personal, or emotionally significant experiences.
SYFoA is committed to approaching such information with dignity and appropriate care.
Personal stories and lived experiences may be used for legitimate programme purposes, including leadership development, reflection, mentorship, project development, and programme documentation.
Where SYFoA intends to use identifiable personal stories for public communications, publications, documentaries, promotional materials, or other external purposes, appropriate consent or permission will be sought where required.
Applicants and fellows are encouraged to avoid sharing unnecessary personal information about other identifiable individuals.
Photography, Video, and Programme Media
SYFoA may document fellowship activities through professional and programme-based media, including:
- Photography;
- Video;
- Interviews;
- Testimonials;
- Written stories;
- Leadership essays;
- Impact documentaries; and
- Other forms of programme documentation.
These materials may be used to document fellowship activities, communicate programme outcomes, showcase the work of fellows, support the SYFoA Anthology, and demonstrate the broader impact of the fellowship.
Where identifiable photographs, videos, testimonials, or personal stories are intended for public-facing use and consent is required, appropriate permission will be sought.
Questions regarding the use of specific media containing your likeness or personal information may be directed to:
How We Share Information
SYFoA does not sell personal information.
Personal information may, however, be accessed or shared where reasonably necessary for the effective administration and delivery of the fellowship.
Youth Arise Organisation and SYFoA Personnel
Authorised personnel may access information necessary to administer the fellowship, review applications, coordinate programme activities, and support participants.
Selection and Evaluation Personnel
Application information may be made available to authorised individuals involved in reviewing and evaluating fellowship applications.
Mentors, Facilitators and Programme Personnel
Selected fellows’ information may be shared with relevant mentors, facilitators, coaches, or programme personnel where necessary to provide appropriate support and deliver fellowship activities.
Programme Service Providers
SYFoA may use third-party platforms and service providers to support activities such as:
- Application management;
- Communication;
- Virtual learning;
- File storage;
- Website operations; and
- Programme administration.
Where these services process personal information, they may do so as part of supporting the operation and delivery of the fellowship.
Partners and Stakeholders
Information may be shared with programme partners or relevant stakeholders where necessary for legitimate programme activities and subject to appropriate safeguards.
Legal and Regulatory Requirements
SYFoA may disclose personal information where required by applicable law, legal process, court order, or legitimate regulatory requirements.
Application Evaluation And Integrity
SYFoA uses a structured selection process designed to identify individuals who demonstrate the readiness, character, and potential required for the fellowship.
The selection process may include:
Stage One — Written Application
Stage Two — Virtual Interview
Applications are assessed against the fellowship’s established selection framework, which considers areas including:
- Narrative Alchemy;
- Story-Led Project;
- Teachability and Leadership Posture; and
- Commitment, Character and Readiness.
Applicants are expected to submit responses that are:
- Original;
- Truthful;
- Authentic;
- Reflective; and
- Free from plagiarism.
Applicants must also comply with the fellowship’s requirements regarding the use of AI-generated content.
Applications may be disqualified or deprioritised where there is evidence of:
- Generic or inauthentic responses;
- Prohibited AI-generated content;
- Contradictory information;
- Plagiarism;
- Unrealistic or unsupported project proposals;
- Failure to meet commitment requirements; or
- An inability to demonstrate meaningful personal reflection or engagement.
SYFoA may review submitted materials for consistency, authenticity, and compliance with application requirements where reasonably necessary to protect the integrity of the selection process.
Age Requirements
SYFoA is designed for young Africans between 18 and 30 years of age by 30 September 2026, in accordance with the eligibility requirements for the applicable fellowship cycle.
We do not knowingly seek to collect personal information from individuals who are below the minimum age required to apply.
Where we become aware that information has been submitted by an individual who does not meet the applicable age requirements, we may take appropriate steps to remove or otherwise manage that information in accordance with applicable requirements.
Data Security
SYFoA takes reasonable organisational and technical measures to protect personal information against:
- Unauthorised access;
- Unauthorised disclosure;
- Loss;
- Misuse;
- Alteration; and
- Destruction.
Access to personal information is intended to be limited to authorised individuals who require it for legitimate fellowship or organisational purposes.
While we take reasonable steps to protect information, no electronic transmission or storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
Applicants and fellows should therefore exercise appropriate care when submitting information online and avoid providing unnecessary sensitive information.
Data Retention
SYFoA retains personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected.
This may include retaining information for purposes such as:
- Processing and evaluating fellowship applications;
- Administering the fellowship;
- Supporting Story-Led Projects;
- Maintaining programme records;
- Supporting programme monitoring and learning;
- Meeting legitimate organisational requirements;
- Supporting alumni engagement; and
- Complying with applicable legal or regulatory obligations.
Retention periods may vary depending on the nature of the information and the purpose for which it is retained.
Where personal information is no longer reasonably required, we will take appropriate steps to securely delete, anonymise, or otherwise dispose of it.
Your Privacy Rights
Depending on applicable data protection laws, you may have rights relating to your personal information.
These rights may include the ability to:
- Request access to personal information we hold about you;
- Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information;
- Request deletion of information where applicable;
- Object to certain forms of processing;
- Request restrictions on processing in appropriate circumstances;
- Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent; and
- Raise a concern or complaint regarding how your personal information is handled.
Certain rights may be subject to applicable legal or organisational limitations.
To make a privacy-related request, please contact:
Email: fellows@syfoa.org
WhatsApp Helpdesk: +233 50 680 7812
We aim to respond to email enquiries within three business days. WhatsApp enquiries will be attended to during working hours.
Consent And Withdrawal
Where SYFoA relies on consent as the basis for processing personal information, you may withdraw your consent by contacting us.
Withdrawal of consent will not necessarily affect:
- Processing that took place before consent was withdrawn; or
- Processing that is otherwise permitted or required under applicable requirements.
Where consent is required for the public use of identifiable personal stories, photographs, videos, testimonials, or similar materials, individuals will be informed of the intended use before providing consent.
Cookies And Website Technologies
The SYFoA website may use cookies and similar technologies to support:
- Website functionality;
- Security;
- Analytics;
- Performance; and
- User experience.
Where applicable, these technologies may help us understand how visitors interact with the website and identify opportunities to improve its performance and functionality.
Where required, visitors will be provided with appropriate information and controls relating to cookies and similar technologies.
Third-Party Websites and Services
The SYFoA website and programme communications may contain links to websites, platforms, or services operated by third parties. These third parties may operate under their own privacy policies and terms. SYFoA does not control and is not responsible for the privacy practices, security, or content of third-party websites and services.
We encourage users to review the privacy policies of third-party services before providing personal information.
International Data Processing And Transfers
SYFoA operates within a collaborative fellowship environment that may involve applicants, fellows, mentors, partners, and service providers located in different countries.
As a result, personal information may be processed or stored outside the country in which it was originally collected, including through digital platforms used to administer and deliver the fellowship.
Where applicable, SYFoA will take reasonable steps to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect personal information during cross-border processing or transfers.
Changes To This Privacy Policy
SYFoA may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect:
- Changes to the fellowship;
- Changes to our data practices;
- Developments in technology;
- Changes in applicable legal or regulatory requirements; or
- Other organisational developments.
When changes are made, we will update the “Last Updated” date at the beginning of this Privacy Policy.
We encourage applicants, fellows, and website users to review this Privacy Policy periodically.
Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, requests, or complaints regarding this Privacy Policy or the handling of your personal information, please contact us.
Support Youth Fellowship of Africa (SYFoA)
An initiative of Youth Arise Organisation (YAO)
Email: syfoa@gmail.com
WhatsApp Helpdesk: +233 50 680 7812
Website: www.syfoa.chiefmoses.org
Organisation Address: Kwabenya-Accra, Ghana
We aim to respond to email enquiries within three business days. WhatsApp enquiries will be attended to during working hours.
Applicant And Participant Acknowledgement
By submitting an application to the SYFoA Fellowship, you acknowledge that:
- You have read and understood this Privacy Policy;
- The information you provide should be accurate and truthful;
- Your application will be reviewed as part of the SYFoA selection process;
- Your information may be accessed by authorised individuals involved in selection and programme administration;
- SYFoA is a story-led fellowship and your application or participation may involve the sharing of personal narrative information;
- You understand the applicable commitment and participation requirements of the fellowship; and
- Additional consent may be requested before identifiable personal stories, photographs, videos, testimonials, or other media are used publicly where consent is required.
By participating in SYFoA, applicants and fellows agree to engage with the programme in accordance with its applicable policies, requirements, and guidelines.
