The African Youth Philanthropy Network (AYPN) held its third Leadership Conference in Accra, Ghana from 27-29 November 2022. The conference brought together Sub-Regional Leaders, AYPN Secretariat Team and AYPN Co-Hosts Partner Teams to a round table discussion on strategies to contribute to youth philanthropy growth and improve the culture of giving among next-generation philanthropists in Africa.

Photo courtesy of the African Youth Philanthropy Network.

The AYPN Leadership Conference (ALC) 2022 is part of the initiative themed, ‘Unleashing Young People to Lift Up Philanthropy’ launched to enhance youth-led philanthropy contributions towards the achievements of the SDGs. By strengthening the African Youth Philanthropy Leadership through peer learning, mentoring, and networking, this conference led to the development of strategic plans and innovative technology platforms for growing the network and connecting to donors across the regions.

The 3rd ALC was jointly hosted by AYPN Co-convening partners, GADeF International and PEN Tanzania and the AYPN Secretariat with support from WINGS in partnership with Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI), East Africa Philanthropy Network (EAPN), Giving Tuesday Ghana, Philanthropy Ghana and Centre for Strategic Philanthropy and Social Investment (CESPSI). Characterized by round table discussions, group work and presentations, the conference brought together 30 participants including members of AYPN in West Africa.

Outcomes of the conference included developing an AYPN 4-year Strategic Plan (which focused on 4 Pillars-People, Participation, Policy and Practice), Partnerships and Communication strategy as well as establishing working groups (Communications, Fund-raising & Grants, Membership & Partnerships and Innovations & Projects)  to support the Secretariat work at the five (5) sub-regional levels.

• The first goal under AYPN Thematic area Education and Learning is to build a strong competent and collaborative youth philanthropy at the national, regional and global levels.
• Secondly, under the thematic area of advocacy and leadership, AYPN will act as a credible voice and foster an enabling environment for youth philanthropy at the national, regional and global levels.
• Thirdly, under the Innovation, Knowledge Generation and Dissemination, AYPN will serve as a Hub for knowledge, innovation and incubation issues related to social entrepreneurship and youth philanthropy.
• The fourth goal under the Sustainability thematic area is to develop and consolidate a solid regional and national community membership-based and resource mobilization.

Photo courtesy of the African Youth Philanthropy Network.

During the last day of the ALC, all the participants joined the third Ghana Giving Summit 2022 organized by Philanthropy Ghana, West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) and Star Ghana. The summit attracted key personalities such as Dr Ben Ocra from Ghana Philanthropy Forum and Reverend Dr Christian Tsekpoe from the Strategic Philanthropy and Social Investment (CESPSI) at Pentecost University, Dr Kofi Osei-Kusi from Osei Kusi Foundation and other members of the Giving Tuesday Ghana movement.

The African Youth Philanthropy Network (AYPN) is an ecosystem of African youth philanthropists, impact investors,

and social entrepreneurs that are dedicated to supporting youth-led developmental initiatives in the continent, setting the agenda for youth philanthropy and development in the continent.