Youth Leadership Program
The Youth Leadership Program (YLP) is Project Stand Up’s flagship initiative and the foundation of our youth empowerment work.Since 2018, we’ve run four cohorts, including one fully online during the COVID-19 lockdown proving that learning and leadership don’t stop, even in difficult times.
YLP is a practical training program that helps refugee and local youth build leadership, facilitation, and problem-solving skills they can apply directly in their schools, communities, and daily lives.
The program has continued to evolve, and PSU now offers it as a flexible training package that schools, organizations, and community groups can adapt or request.
It’s designed to be inclusive and accessible focusing less on abstract ideas and more on helping young people find their voice, take initiative, and lead with confidence.
4 cohorts completed between 2018 and 2025 — including one fully online.
50 youth participants trained across refugee and local communities in Malaysia.
Many graduates have gone on to facilitate workshops, organize community events, and take on leadership roles within PSU and their own networks.
YLP has helped create a growing network of youth who continue to support one another and lead initiatives that strengthen their communities.
Participant Voices
“Before YLP, I was too shy to speak in front of others. Now, I help organize events and lead small group sessions. It taught me that leadership starts with showing up.”
— YLP Participant, 2023 Cohort
“Even during COVID, when everything moved online, we still learned together and stayed connected. It showed me how strong our community can be when we support each other.”
— YLP Participant, 2021 Online Cohort
“YLP helped me understand what kind of leader I want to be — not perfect, but consistent and willing to listen.”
— YLP Graduate, 2023 Cohort
Our Impact
Each cohort combines workshops, group projects, and peer learning giving participants the space to practice what they learn, work collaboratively, and grow together.