Youth Voice and Leadership

GOYN takes a partnership approach to youth engagement, which means:

  • Youth are engaged through all phases of GOYN work, not just the beginning or the end
  • Youth views and opinions are continuously and equally sought and valued
  • Youth are given the tools, training and spaces to voice their ideas
  • Youth are respected and supported by all stakeholders

As part of this approach GOYN Anchor Partners work alongside and engage local Opportunity Youth to design and launch local Youth Advisory Groups (YAG). YAG members contribute to GOYN’s mission to expand opportunities for young people by:

  • Providing advisory support and contributing to the GOYN strategic planning
  • Giving feedback to the initiative’s working groups and participating in working groups of interest
  • Advising the GOYN on implementation of youth initiatives and how to enable youth participation in the initiative
  • Representing youth voice to influence policy and planning discussions
  • Supporting youth mobilization activities and participation in the initiative

There are currently 150 YAG members leading across 9 GOYN Communities. Meet a few of the YAG leaders below and comeback for updates and to meet new YAG leaders.



Seydou KA

Thiès, Senegal – Seydou KA is a young Senegalese leader from Mbour, a member of the Mbour Youth Advisory Group, a mentor, and a community mobilizer dedicated to expanding opportunities for young people. Having witnessed the systemic barriers facing youth in his community, he works to create safe spaces… Read More

Linus Gabriel

Tanga, Tanzania – Linus Gabriel is a youth leader from Tanga, Tanzania, and a Cyber Security graduate from the Arusha Institute of Accountancy, combining technical expertise with a strong commitment to youth advocacy and community engagement. He serves as a Youth Advisory Group (YAG) member at GOYN Tanga and… Read More

Saumu Hussein

Mombasa, Kenya- Saumu Hussein is a youth leader and social impact advocate based in Mombasa, Kenya, dedicated to advancing opportunity, wellbeing, and inclusive growth for young people. She leads the Youth Thrive Project at Pwani Youth Network, supporting health career pathways and strengthening youth advocacy for economic empowerment. Read More

Yasmim Perreira

São Paulo, Brazil – Yasmim Loiola Pereira is a Social Sciences student at the University of São Paulo (USP) and a youth leader from São Paulo, Brazil, working at the intersection of youth engagement, popular education, and civic participation. She began organizing in high school as student council president,… Read More

Tania Gayosso

Mexico City, Mexico – Tania Gayosso is a Mexican leader who believes in the collective power to transform reality. With a background in Intercultural Literature from UNAM, she chose to become a web developer and EdTech educator, finding in technology a powerful vehicle for social impact. As a first-generation… Read More

Esteban Fajardo

Bogotá, Colombia – Esteban Bohórquez Fajardo is a youth social leader from Engativá, Bogotá, and a professional in International Relations and Political Studies. He works at Colombia’s Department for Social Prosperity and collaborates with the Secretariat of Security of Bogotá while pursuing a specialization in Government, Management, and Public… Read More

Nishant Kumar

Ramgarh, India – Nishant Kumar  is a youth leader and community changemaker dedicated to empowering young people through career guidance, skill development, and mentorship. He engages with students across schools and colleges, delivering career counseling sessions that help learners explore pathways and make informed decisions about their futures. Read More

Atiya Yasmeen

Raichur, India – Atiya Yasmeen is a youth leader from Raichur, India, serving as Vice President of the Youth Advisory Group and Engagement Officer at Head Held High Foundation, a GOYN anchor partner. She works closely with Opportunity Youth in rural and tribal communities to support access to hyperlocal… Read More

Satish Waghdare

Pune, India – Satish Waghdare is a social entrepreneur and legal awareness advocate from Maharashtra, India, working to make legal support and public benefits more accessible to everyday citizens. What began as a GOYN Youth Innovation Fund project has grown into his organization, Kayda Mitra Pvt. Ltd., which provides… Read More

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