The Aspen Global Innovators Group partners with African-led advocacy firm, Niyel, to implement the Impact West Africa program. This initiative aims to equip individuals across the West African region with the advocacy and communication skills to drive meaningful change. It is designed to develop a new generation of powerful development advocates who actively champion large-scale challenges and implement local change with regional and global impact.
Following the success of the New Voices Fellowship model elevating the voices of local leaders to drive change, we have adapted this approach to create a more regional model. The fellowship program will highlight 10 champions from both Francophone and Anglophone regions within West Africa. These advocates will work towards addressing the region’s development priorities, enabling them to collectively tackle shared challenges affecting nearly 500 million individuals residing in the 17 countries across the region.
Through comprehensive training in media, advocacy, and storytelling, the program empowers its fellows to advance strategic advocacy efforts in sectors such as health, women and gender equity, education, climate change and environment, and economic empowerment. By shifting power to local leaders who have a better understanding of the communities served, we aim to nurture a new generation of powerful African development advocates who advance Africa’s own development priorities.
"The global health and development community is in dire need of bold new solutions and leaders. It is a privilege to partner with Niyel to champion local experts and innovators who are reimagining and rebuilding communities to ensure that current and future generations thrive."