Photo of four young adults participating in a discussion, one of them speaking and gesturing with her hands.

YOUNG LEADERS
SUMMER INSTITUTE

A free, nonpartisan, and virtual program for the next generation of civic leaders.

A GIF of YLSI Fellows on Zoom, smiling and waving.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Young Leaders Summer Institute (YLSI) is a civic education program designed to prepare rising generations to defend, strengthen and improve democracy.

Over the course of the program, YLSI Fellows learn about threats to democracy, discuss global and historic democratic contexts, and develop their civic leadership skills.

YLSI Fellows will:

  • Learn from experts, including top civic leaders and elected representatives. 

  • Engage with peers passionate about solving today’s biggest challenges and build a shared understanding of democracy and its importance.

  • Gain confidence in their ability to be a leader in democracy by deepening understanding of their own leadership abilities and motivations for being active in democracy.

  • Be supported to take action to support democracy.

  • Build civic skills, including navigating conflict/disagreement productively and combating misinformation.

  • Receive a certificate and gain access to the YLSI alumni community upon successful completion of the program.

"This program really helped open my eyes to so many aspects of democracy and democratic leadership-building that I otherwise never would’ve thought of. It’s made me more passionate for getting engaged in the democratic process and assisting in the incredible change that so many YLSI speakers and alumni have created.”

- 2024 YLSI Fellow

A Zoom still from a YLSI session featuring Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez and David Hogg. Both are spotlighted on the screen, along with a student, who is asking a question.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

The Young Leaders Summer Institute is structured to be completed alongside existing summer plans such as jobs, internships, or research.

Participants can expect to spend 3-5 hours/week in YLSI activities, including 2-hour interactive sessions with democracy experts, leaders, and elected representatives over the summer, and 1-hour small group discussions. Sessions are synchronous, and Fellows must commit to full attendance.

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY

Fellows are selected through an online application process in the spring. Eligibility criteria includes:

  • Being between the ages of 18-23.

  • Ability to commit to 3-5 hours per week of synchronous virtual programming via Zoom, along with asynchronous time putting their learning into practice.

  • Having demonstrated interest and/or leadership in advancing democracy (ideal, but not required).

Students from all backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, and political experiences are encouraged to apply.

Applicants with a planned internship or summer job are responsible for obtaining permission from their supervisor to attend weekly sessions.

Questions? Reach out to us via email at info@democracyhouse.org.

A screenshot of YLSI Fellows in Zoom, with guest speakers Jahnavi Rao and Trey Grayson.
A screenshot of YLSI participants in Zoom, smiling.

Curriculum

YLSI takes place over nine weeks during the summer, and is comprised of three modules:

  • This module gives context and grounding for the rest of the summer and beyond. Fellows explore democracy in the US and abroad, as well as threats to democracy and tools to strengthen it.

  • This module addresses individual roles and motivations for building and strengthening democracy, deepening Fellows’ understanding of individual power and its ability to influence change.

  • This module explores ways to put understanding into action to strengthen democracy.

In each module, YLSI welcomes subject matter experts and practitioners to the program to share their work and engage in conversation with Fellows.

PREVIOUS SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

  • A headshot of Danielle Allen.

    Danielle Allen

  • A headshot of Sequoia Austin.

    Sequoia Austin


  • A photo of Ian Bassin.

    Ian Bassin


  • A headshot of Whitney Benns.

    Whitney Benns


  • A headshot of Nicole Bibbins Sedaca.

    Nicole Bibbins Sedaca

  • A headshot of Heather Booth.

    Heather Booth

  • A headshot of Katherine Clayton.

    Katherine Clayton


  • A headshot of Genesis Davila.

    Genesis Davila


  • A headshot of Dan Evon.

    Dan Evon


  • A headshot of Archon Fung.

    Archon Fung


  • A headshot of Maxwell Frost.

    Congressman Maxwell Frost

  • A photo of Marshall Ganz.

    Marshall Ganz

  • A photo of Trey Grayson.

    Trey Grayson


  • A headshot of David Hogg.

    David Hogg

  • A photo of Van Jones.

    Van Jones

  • A headshot of Stephanie King.

    Stephanie King


  • A photo of Evan Mawarire.

    Evan Mawarire


  • A headshot of Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez.

    Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez

  • A headshot of Jahnavi Rao.

    Jahnavi Rao


  • A headshot of Anjali Rodrigues.

    Anjali Rodrigues


  • A headshot of Karn Saetang.

    Karn Saetang


  • A headshot of Sam Straus.

    Sam Straus