JAAGO, YouthNet launch graduate leadership fellowship

Bangladesh is at a pivotal moment, as its large youth population transitions into leadership roles.

With industries evolving and global competition intensifying, the need for skilled, confident, and forward-thinking professionals is more pressing than ever.

Against this backdrop, the NexGen Graduate Fellowship has been launched as a landmark initiative designed to catalyse a new generation of leaders and address the critical skills and leadership gap among young professionals.

Targeted at graduates and early-career professionals aged 23 to 32 from Dhaka division, the fellowship provides a pathway for those aiming to move beyond entry-level roles into strategic, policy, and leadership positions.

The fellowship is implemented by JAAGO Foundation Trust and YouthNet Global, two youth-focused organisations engaged in civic engagement, skills development, and social impact.

It represents a flagship event within the Nagorikata Civic Engagement Fund programme, reflecting a milestone in advancing youth leadership and civic engagement in Bangladesh.

The initiative is supported by the Embassy of Switzerland, Global Affairs Canada, and the European Union, and implemented by GFA Consulting Group.

The fellowship is grounded in the Quadruple Helix model—an innovation framework that unites government, industry, academia (with university partners committed to providing mentoring and resources), and civil society.

Rather than viewing communities as passive beneficiaries, the model positions them as active contributors in shaping solutions.

By enabling cross-sectoral knowledge exchange, the approach supports more inclusive, practical, and locally grounded responses to complex development challenges.

This is reflected in fellows engaging directly with institutions and communities while working across multiple sectors.

'NexGen is designed to move beyond conventional training. It prepares young professionals to work across systems, understand complexity, and take responsibility in shaping solutions that address real societal needs through collaboration and action,' said Sohanur Rahman, executive coordinator, YouthNet Global.

The six-month fellowship combines intensive learning with real-world application.

The first phase is a three-month Leadership Immersion Intensive Bootcamp, providing both theoretical and hands-on training.

The programme will focus on critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and strategic decision-making skills essential for leadership in complex, fast-changing environments.

This will be followed by a three-month practicum, during which fellows will work directly on high-impact projects across government, corporate organisations, NGOs, and academia.

Unlike conventional training programmes, NexGen integrates participants into real decision-making and implementation processes, offering exposure and responsibility that typically take years to attain.

During this phase, fellows will support implementation, contribute to solution design, take ownership of assigned components, and help influence project outcomes.

The fellowship also offers mentorship from industry leaders to help participants navigate career pathways and leadership challenges.

Fellows will receive internationally recognised certification and gain access to a professional network spanning multiple sectors, creating opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and career mobility.

Organisers stated that the fellowship aspires to serve as a pivotal platform preparing young professionals for transformative leadership, policy, and strategic roles across sectors, marking a significant step toward national capacity building.

They noted that initiatives such as NexGen are critical in a country where youth unemployment, underemployment, and skills mismatch remain persistent structural challenges.

By combining practical experience with leadership development, the programme stands as a crucial driver in building a workforce that is competitive, socially responsive, and equipped to meet the country's development priorities.

The application deadline for the NexGen Graduate Fellowship is 30 April.

Application link: https://jaago.com.bd/nexgen-graduate-fellowship