Understand
Participants gain clearer frameworks for markets, incentives, institutions and human agency.
Impact & evidence
We measure what changes after the room empties.
FLI tracks participation, completion, direct reach, project delivery, alumni initiatives and the institutional outcomes that follow from its programmes.
2026 Cohort 1
From interest to verified action.
103ApplicationsTop of the funnel
40AdmissionsSelected fellows
38Active fellowsConsistent participation
19GraduatesCapstone completed
427+Direct reachAttendance records verified
Impact pathway
How ideas travel from mind to institution.
FLI's theory of change links intellectual formation to action, networks and stronger civic institutions.
Apply
Assignments and capstones require fellows to use ideas in a practical context.
Connect
Peer and mentor relationships create collaboration that survives beyond a cohort.
Build
Alumni launch projects, organisations and public initiatives that expand opportunity.
A Ghana-based capstone brought multiple perspectives into one constructive conversation.
Outcome story
A dialogue that replaced blame with better questions.
A fellow convened teachers, parents, education officials, school leaders and disability advocates to examine implementation challenges around inclusive education.
Participants did not need to agree on every issue. Success was reflected in deeper understanding, respectful exchange and interest in future policy dialogue.
Read the full story →Evidence dashboard
A donor-ready view of progress and meaning.
| Indicator | 2026 Cohort 1 | What it tells us | Evidence source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applications received | 103 | Demand and programme reach | Application records |
| Fellows admitted | 40 | Selectivity and cohort size | Admission register |
| Active through classes | 38 | Participation retention | Attendance records |
| Capstones submitted | 19 | Application of learning | Submitted reports |
| Graduates | 19 | Completion under defined criteria | Graduation register |
| People directly reached | 427+ | Community-level extension of learning | Fellow-submitted attendance records |
Institutional outcomes
More than 15 initiatives inspired.
FLI's alumni ecosystem has helped inspire more than 15 youth-led initiatives across Africa in less than two years. This is an important leading indicator: the fellowship is creating relationships and confidence that lead to independent action.
The next measurement frontier is to track which initiatives survive, attract partners, reach beneficiaries, influence public debate and develop sound governance.
See our accountability commitmentsFund impact
Support the evidence systemHelp us measure outcomes with greater depth.
Support can strengthen longitudinal alumni tracking, independent evaluation, data systems and publication quality.