CLI's Program Growth in 2019: An Overview

CLI has been conducting leadership and entrepreneurship training for youth in the DRC since 2010, but the program we offer has never been static. We take great pride in our ability to adapt and improve the program so that each year is better than the one before it. 

Since our launch, CLI has added lessons on women in leadership, entrepreneurial finance, and negotiations skills among other topics. Our curriculum innovation has often foreshadowed educational evolution worldwide and we are proud to be at the forefront of leadership and entrepreneurship training. This year, we made a point of supplementing our core training with programs specifically for two groups in our community that we believe will be critical to our success moving forward.

First, recognizing the overarching challenges that young women face in the DRC, CLI has redoubled our commitment to educating and training female leaders. Though we have always ensured gender equality in our program and leadership of the organization by women at all levels, this year was the first time that we devoted a specific budget to female participation. These funds have been deployed by our partner sites to set up additional meetings (before, during, and after the core CLI program) to provide resources for the young women who participate. Additionally, our partner sites have engaged directly with the families of young women who participate to explain the potential that their daughters hold for leadership and change. So far, this tactic has worked: Our attendance numbers for women this year have outpaced those of men in the program.

Another group within the CLI community that we are pleased to be providing resources for is our cadre of alums across the DRC. While logistical challenges make it difficult to keep track of exactly what our alums are doing in their post-CLI days, we have for years heard amazing stories of alumni achievements. To better facilitate this feedback loop, we kicked off specific alumni programming this year for the first time. Starting with three funded discussion group events each year, many alums have reported self-organized meetings throughout the year. We expect increased contact with and support for CLI alumni to strengthen the proven positive impact of CLI’s programs on young people in the DRC throughout their lives - not just during the year they participate in our program. 

Overall, we are excited for what the future holds and hopeful that the additional programming for two critical groups within the CLI community will keep us on the cutting edge of leadership and entrepreneurship training around the world. Thank you for your support as we continue to expand in the DRC.