The Advanced Youth Leadership (AYL) program, awarded by USAID to API through Chemonics, with a grant in the amount of USD 59,907, addressed the need for youth engagement in social community development in Phnom Penh (Khan Tuol Kok), also aiming at bridging gaps in traditional education systems. Empowering youth to take active roles in their communities was considered crucial for achieving sustainable community development, promoting inclusivity, and enhancing overall social well-being. These efforts contributed significantly to cultivating a generation of responsible, engaged citizens dedicated to long-term community advancement.
The AYL Social Lab successfully empowered the youth to address local challenges through a comprehensive training program covering life skills, civic engagement, financial management, and social development issues. Technical support in project management, facilitation, coaching, and mentoring further equipped them to implement impactful youth-led community development projects funded by USAID through API-administered small community grants.
Through a well-structured training program, participants gained knowledge from API mentors about critical life skills, civic engagement strategies, financial management, and insights into contemporary social development issues. The program also provided support through facilitation, coaching, and mentoring, enabling youth to implement impactful community development projects.
By the end of the grant period, 27 youth (including 3 interns) in Phnom Penh developed into active citizens equipped with essential life skills and community development competencies. Through their participation in the AYL Social Lab, these youth successfully implemented youth-designed and led capstone projects funded by community project grants. These small projects demonstrated the trainees’ enhanced capacity to engage in and contribute to social community development initiatives, addressing real-world issues and positively impacting their communities.
From students to youth leaders, with skills and a goal in sight
“Before joining the USAID-funded Advancing Youth Leadership (AYL) program with the Advocacy and Policy Institute (API), I was solely focused on my studies and work. I didn’t pay much attention to social issues,” says Sall Men, a 23-year-old female from the Charay ethnic minority group. Born in the Som Thom commune, O’Yadav district, Ratanakiri Province, Sall Men is the eldest of three siblings. After finishing high school, she moved to Phnom Penh to continue her studies and graduated from the Royal University of Phnom Penh with a major in Tourism Management. After graduating, she worked as a manager at a Christian Church Center and later joined AYL as a volunteer, despite having no prior experience with projects or social issues.
“Joining AYL was a turning point for me,” says the youth. “The training courses, especially the soft skill training provided by API, helped me develop skills such as interpersonal communication, life planning/goal setting, problem-solving, leadership, decision-making, and teamwork. I became more aware of my potential and my future goals and of societal issues and learned how to address them effectively in my daily life”. The knowledge and experiences she gained from API and
AYL have been “invaluable”. She met new people, learned from them, and applied her new skills to various activities. “These experiences have enriched my daily life and prepared me for future endeavors. Moreover, I aspire to become a teacher and project officer in my community, using the skills and knowledge I gained from API and AYL to make a positive impact in my community as well”, Sall Men mentioned.
Another trainee, Pheon Borin, tells us his story. “I had never learned or experienced soft skill training and/or community development projects before; I only focused on my studies,” says the 21-year-old male youth from the ethnic minority group in Ratanakiri Province. Before joining the API-AYL program, he was eager to learn more about youth participation in solving community problems and building good relationships within the community. He also wanted to gain practical experience and apply it to real-world situations. When he received information from a friend who had joined the Advancing Youth Leadership (AYL) program in Cohort 1, he decided to apply for a volunteer position, passed the interview, and then had the opportunity to participate in the project. “API-AYL program provided me with valuable lessons in problem definition, soft skills, leadership, critical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, and citizen participation. The training on soft skills, such as goal setting, life planning, and leadership, was particularly impactful. The training helped me lead projects, solve community problems, and adapt to working with diverse groups of people. I learned to set specific life goals, think critically about issues, and find effective solutions,” Borin says with a smile while talking to API project staff.
Borin, while drawing his river of life during soft skills training.
He gained new knowledge, made new friends, and developed a deeper understanding of leadership. The soft skills training has been instrumental in his personal and professional growth.
Kun Tuo is a student at the Royal University of Phnom Penh and the National Institute of Social Affairs. “Previously, I participated in various teamwork and community activities initiated by my peers. However, I had not received formal soft skills training from development organizations. I focused mainly on my studies and part-time work but was eager to engage in volunteer activities that positively impact the community,” said Kun Tuo, a 27-year-old male youth from Cohort 2. In October 2024, he joined the API-AYL Social Lab project and received extensive training, particularly in soft skills such as leadership, communication, decision-making, and problem-solving.
These skills are “essential” for everyday life and community involvement. “Through the program, I gained new knowledge and experience, built strong relationships with my team, and developed a deeper understanding of leadership and community engagement. I am grateful to USAID, API, and other relevant partners for this opportunity,” Tuo shares. In the future, he plans to continue developing his soft skills and implementing projects that address community needs. He is committed to contributing to his community through volunteer activities and applying the skills he has learned.
These stories highlight the transformative impact of soft skills training on youth, empowering them to become proactive leaders and change-makers in their communities. The AYL program has not only equipped them with essential skills but also inspired them to pursue their goals and make meaningful contributions to society.
