Young men and women comprise the largest demographic with great potential for social change and transformation. To that end, through the Community Leadership Academy, CEA is creating cohorts of active youth.

The active youth are forming a basis of active citizens and community members who mobilize their peers around community issues in the areas where they live and work. The youth attending the Community Leadership Academy (CLA) are developing competencies in critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and networking. They are learning how to advocate and identify community issues, they are gaining skills, and are being mentored in designing interventions that address the needs of their communities. In addition, the CLA alumni have begun contributing to participatory public policy by engaging in monitoring public consultations at the local level.

Moreover, the integration of CSOs in the Academy curriculum and various other activities builds connections between CSOs and youth, furthering their understanding of the work of local CSOs and importance of civic activism.