Get Involved
Get involved as a focal point
The Youth LEAD network is growing and expanding, reaching greater distances to include hard-to-reach YKPs across Asia and the Pacific. Our network is made up of individual young focal points, national/local organisations and networks working in collaboration to address the needs of YKPs and to ensure no one is left behind.
Young key populations can get involved with Youth LEAD by registering to become a focal point. Focal points can be either an individual or a group/organisation who works to support Youth LEAD at the community or country-level and advocate for the needs of YKPs. Youth LEAD Focal points may be allowed to attend workshops facilitated by Youth LEAD to strengthen educational and leadership skills. Focal points may also be able to collaborate on campaigns, reports and existing research and attend international conferences and forums (if funding permits).
If you are a young person aged 14 - 30 and based in the Asia Pacific region, and identify yourself as a young key population or working for youth in the HIV response, you can join our network. All you have to do is fill out this simple application form to become a Youth LEAD Focal Point.
If you have questions about being a Focal Point for Youth LEAD, email info@youth-lead.org
Work with us in partnership
The Youth LEAD network is also made up of civil society partnerships. Youth LEAD works with various organisations and networks across all regions working on young key populations, HIV & SRHR and youth. We work with organisations that align with Youth LEAD’s values and foster openness to new partnerships. At Youth LEAD, we believe in the sharing of best practices and promote the exchange of knowledge between organisations to serve the community and the cause better.
If you are a regional or global young key population/youth serving organisation, please email info@youth-lead.org to find out how you can partner or collaborate with Youth LEAD.
For Potential National Partners
Youth LEAD currently has partnerships with more than 50 organisations at the country level in more than 19 countries across the Asia Pacific. If your organisation is based in the region and is interested in joining one of the largest YKP led networks in the Asia Pacific whether your organisation is registered or not, please refer to the criteria below:
1. You are a youth-led organisation that serves young key populations (either under the age of 18 or between the ages of 18-30).
2. Working on one of the following young key population issues: HIV, stigma and discrimination, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), human rights, transgender/non-binary and LGBTQI+ rights, adolescent girls and young women
3. Registered and unregistered organisations should be active or have ongoing activities within the past six months.
4. Advantage/Optional - If your organisation has relations to the National AIDS Commission or other related national HIV committees.
If you meet the criteria above, please submit an expression of interest that is a maximum of two pages. This should include an introduction of the organisation including its vision, mission and objectives; reasoning behind the expression of interest and any benefits to the partnership; brief description of 2-3 recent activities with pictures; and if possible the registration of the organisation and the by-laws by email to opp@youth-lead.org
Support us and share our cause
Your donation, however big or small, will go directly to the YKP Education Fund, a scholarship programme aimed at supporting young key populations in higher education.
Recognising that education is an instrument of social change and that young key populations are at a disadvantage from receiving higher education, Youth LEAD established the YKP Education Fund to provide scholarships for YKPs struggling to finance their school. Research and case studies have shown that YKPs across Asia and the Pacific have been rejected/excluded from higher education due to one's HIV status, sexual orientation and gender identity and expression (SOGIE), discrimination based on class and economic background.
On an annual basis, Youth LEAD will open a call for applications and identify two YKPs who will receive a scholarship. Scholarships are to be provided on a yearly basis and may support a young person to up to two years in part/full time higher education.