How do the (YIL) work

How do the Youth Innovation Labs (YIL) work?

The process usually starts with a call for young people, like you, to apply to join the Youth Innovation Lab. They’re looking for youth who are motivated, want to make a difference in their community, and are excited to learn. You don’t have to be a leader already, but you should show signs of leadership, like being good at working in a team, coming up with creative ideas, or communicating with others. Young people from marginalised or disadvantaged backgrounds—such as those affected by poverty, disability, displacement, or with limited access to education—are especially encouraged to apply.

Youth Innovation Labs are designed to be inclusive and diverse, ensuring equal opportunities for both male and females. They are especially for young people who often don’t get access to such opportunities—those from marginalised backgrounds, with less formal education, or living in fragile conditions affected by conflicts.

The process in Youth Innovation Labs takes three phases, and it varies from country to another, but all go through them, as follows:

Youth who are selected usually get an orientation session to meet each other, understand the lab process, and start researching the problems in their communities. Youth teams are encouraged to go out and explore the problems in their communities. This stage is all about understanding what’s really going on—not just what we think the issue is. This is the first step in the design thinking process: define the problem. And to define it well, you need evidence.

In some labs, like in China and Bangladesh, this research phase lasted several weeks and was supported by facilitators who helped youth carry out interviews and access information. In shorter labs or unstable contexts, the research might be quicker or use simpler tools. Even so, facilitators find creative ways to help teams learn about their communities before proposing any solutions.

you will be invited to take part in a joint activity where you and other youth come together for intense few days—usually three to five. It’s often called the residential bootcamp, and it’s packed with teamwork, learning, and creativity. Participants are grouped into diverse teams and guided through the design thinking process. The goal is not about wining, but to learn how to work in teams, communicate clearly, solve problems, and think like a changemaker.

Winning teams usually get small seed funding, mentoring, and help to move their idea forward. But even those who don’t win are supported with certificates, feedback, and sometimes referrals or letters of recommendation. Some labs even offer a follow-up programme called YIL+—an extra boost for turning the best ideas into real projects or businesses.