STORY-LED PROJECT
TURNING LIVED EXPERIENCE INTO ACTION
The Story-Led Project (SLP) is a central component of the SYFoA Fellowship. It is through the SLP that fellows translate their audited stories into action by designing and launching a community level project rooted directly in their lived experiences.
WHAT IS A STORY-LED PROJECT?
The Story-Led Project is a 90-day community intervention that every fellow is required to design, develop, and launch as part of the SYFoA Fellowship journey. It is a real, actionable pilot project meant to solve real life problems in society.
Throughout the fellowship, fellows will be equipped, mentored, and supported to move their concept from a rough idea at application stage to a fully developed, community grounded intervention that they launch and implement within 90 days of the fellowship period. .
WHAT MAKES A STRONG SLP CONCEPT?
ROOTED IN YOUR STORY
The problem your project addresses should connect directly to something you have personally experienced. The link between your life and your project should be obvious and honest.
COMMUNITY SPECIFIC
Strong concepts name a real community, a real group of people, and a real problem instead of a broad, generalised issue. The more specific, the more credible.
IT IS ACHIEVABLE IN 90 DAYS
You are not expected to solve the problem entirely. You are expected to launch a meaningful first intervention that creates measurable change within a defined timeframe.
IT HAS A LIFE BEYOND THE FELLOWSHIP
Even at concept stage, the strongest applicants show early thinking about how their project sustains itself through community ownership, earned income, partnerships, or other mechanisms that reduce dependence on external funding.
THE SOVEREIGNTY TEST
SYFoA encourages fellows to develop sustainable, non-aid dependent Story-Led Projects. The emphasis is on building solutions that address urgent local challenges without relying on external donor aid or charity.
Projects may be structured as;
SLP SUPPORT
Structured Mentorship
All selected fellows will receive mentorship and structured guidance to develop and implement their Story-Led Projects throughout the fellowship.
Direct Grant Funding
Additionally, the top five fellows with the strongest SLP concepts will receive direct grant funding to support the implementation of their projects.
Funding Pathways & Guidance
All other fellows will receive dedicated mentorship, strategic direction, and support in accessing relevant grant opportunities and funding pathways beyond the fellowship.
WHAT THE SYFoA FELLOWSHIP WILL DELIVER
By the end of the fellowship, SYFoA will deliver concrete, long term impact through six core deliverables:
EMPOWERED LEADERS
Emerging African decision makers equipped with a grounded, narrative driven leadership identity.
SELF SUSTAINING PROJECTS
Market driven, non aid dependent Story-Led Projects generating measurable impact across the continent.
PUBLISHED ANTHOLOGY
A compiled volume featuring 35 professional essays on leadership, narrative intelligence, and continental transformation.
IMPACT DOCUMENTARIES
Short, high quality media assets establishing a permanent public record of each fellow's work and story.
ACTIVE ALUMNI NETWORK
An engaged continental network where graduates mentor incoming cohorts and collaborate on cross border initiatives.
A CULTURAL PARADIGM SHIFT
A measurable evolution in how young African leaders understand, value, and deploy their lived experiences as strategic tools.
COSTS & FUNDING
SYfoA WILL PROVIDE
PROGRAMME MATERIALS
All required learning materials, toolkits, and resources provided throughout the fellowship.
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
Internal ground transit provided during the residency in Accra.
ACCOMMODATION
Full lodging arranged throughout the entire residency period.
MEALS
All daily meals covered during the in person residency programme.
STORY-LED PROJECT SUPPORT
Implementation support and grant funding opportunities for selected projects, subject to programme guidelines.
WHAT YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR
FLIGHTS
Securing and self funding round trip flight arrangements to Accra, Ghana.
VISA
Managing personal visa processing and acquiring entry authorization.
Your Story Is Not Just
Your History.
It can become your leadership authority.
It can become a solution.
It can become a legacy.
