Welcome to the Youth Development Collaboration Lab
The Youth Development Collaboration Lab (YD Co-Lab) is a collaborative network of organisations and individuals working to advance youth development and empowerment in South Africa.
We are a collective of youth development enthusiasts, ecosystem actors, organisations and individuals committed to advancing a more effective systems response to advance the youth development agenda.
Vision
Our vision is a South Africa where all young people have the information, knowledge and resources to be socio-economically empowered active citizens.
We believe in the power that comes from deep collaboration between the right partners and the value of positive youth development to effect meaningful social change and improve the lives of all people in our country.
We contribute to this vision by building the largest collaborative network of youth development organisations in South Africa.
Mission
Build
Building a collective voice for youth development organisations and others in the ecosystem
Understand
Understand, grow and recognise the collective impact of individuals, organisations and others in the youth development ecosystem
Advocate
We seek to drive integration and collaboration across the sector between and with all stakeholders, whether civil society, social impact, private and/or public sector.
Community
Supporting organisations that are delivering services to youth with shared resources, best practice, and learning.
Steering Committee
The YD Co-Lab’s governance, strategy and work is guided by a Steering Committee, which consists of individuals that have worked voluntarily since October 2020 to establish the YD Co-Lab. The Steering Committee Members have engaged with various stakeholders to build the YD CoLab into a powerful voice and place for youth development enthusiasts to meet, work together and accelerate youth development and empowerment in South Africa.
Luvuyo Maseko
Steering Committee, Member
Project Manager: Youth Development Innovation, Bertha Centre
Ellen Morta
Steering Committee, Member
Regional Operations Manager, Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator
Tsitsi Sekgobela
Steering Committee, Member
Co-Founder & Executive Director, Phronesis Students Development Trust
Zinhle Phakathi
Project Manager
Nkululeko Phakathi
Communications & Admin
Our Community
YD Co-Lab is a community of organisations, companies and individuals addressing the youth development challenges of South Africa head-on. We are building a member-based association where members will:
- Be part of a community of youth development professionals united by a common purpose to continuously learn, interact, collaborate, and innovate;
- Access and be part of collaborative action that makes a difference in the South African youth development ecosystem;
- Gain the credibility, support and professional influence of being part of coordinated advocacy efforts;
- Network with other professionals in your local area or within a specific youth development sector interest
Current Community Members
Interested in joining?
Complete the registration form to find out more about our our membership criteria, and activities.
Stay in Touch
Subscribe to our newsletter for updates and more information about YD Co-Lab and our activities.
