Overview

The Youth Democracy Institute (YDI) Policy Academy is a new leadership pipeline for American democracy that prepares young adults to become civic leaders, facilitators, and mentors across a broader youth democracy ecosystem. Designed as a paid, cohort-based fellowship, the Academy combines democracy education, policy training, and hands-on facilitation experience to strengthen participatory democracy across generations. Participants gain the skills to analyze policy, advocate for change, and step into leadership and governance roles within their communities and institutions.

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Fellows serve as trained facilitators and mentors for YDI’s younger programs, including: The NextGen Leadership Camp/Academy and the Emerging Leaders Academy. Through this structure, fellows translate democratic learning into practice—leading civic dialogue, modeling inclusive leadership, and helping younger students build confidence, voice, and a sense of civic responsibility.

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Program Format

The Academy offers three seasonal cohorts during the year:

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• Fall Cohort (October–December)

• Winter Cohort (January–April)

• Summer Cohort (May–August)

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​​Participant Highlights​

• Paid Fellowship: Stipends ensure equity and accessibility

• Cohort-Based Learning: Small groups (10–20) emphasizing shared leadership and accountability

• Democracy Education: Civic identity, democratic norms, participation, and the role of policy in shaping access and power

• Policy Training: Policy analysis, legislative process, and advocacy strategies

• Facilitation & Mentorship Training: Preparing fellows to lead dialogue and support younger cohorts

• Field Experience: Engagement with policymakers, advocacy organizations, and community boards

• Capstone Project: A policy or civic initiative addressing a real-world challenge

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Who Should Apply

The Policy Academy is open to young adults ages 19–24 who are:

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• College students, recent graduates, or workforce entrants.

• Passionate about civic leadership, government, and advocacy.

• Interested in careers in public policy, law, nonprofit leadership, or government service.

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No previous experience is needed—just a passion for leadership and a commitment to showing up.

 

​​Why It Matters

Democracy depends on people who know how to participate, facilitate dialogue, and work across difference. The YDI Policy Academy builds this capacity by compensating young leaders, grounding them in democratic practice, and positioning them as culture carriers within a growing leadership pipeline that strengthens American democracy from the ground up.

 

How You Can Help

The launch of the Policy Academy depends on support from funders, donors, and partners. By sponsoring a cohort or student, you can:

• Provide stipends for participants.

• Cover program materials and field trip costs.

• Support mentorship and training from experienced policy leaders.​

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