The Youth Day of Service (YDoS) is an annual, pan-African campaign dedicated to commemorating International Youth Day on August 12. It provides a platform for young people to channel their energy, creativity, and passion into volunteer projects that give back to their communities and contribute to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa.

Through YDoS, young people take action, drive positive change, and actively contribute to shaping the future of Africa by embodying the spirit of being “Youthful and Useful.”

Volunteering is simple! You can choose to:

1. Register an SDG project as a Project Lead here
2. Join as a volunteer  here on existing SDG projects

You can browse and register for projects on our website here. Search by location or by Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) to find a project that aligns with your interests.

Do I need to have prior volunteering experience?

No, prior volunteering experience is not required. YDoS is open to all youth between the ages of 18-35, whether you’re new to volunteering or already active in your community.

Once you register, you will receive an email with guidelines and support contacts.

• If you are a Project Lead, you will be assigned a Regional coordinator to support you.
• If you are a Volunteer, the Project Lead of your chosen project will be your first point of contact.

For general inquiries, email ydos@leapafrica.org.

To participate, you must:

• Be between 18-35 years old
• Commit to completing assigned volunteer tasks

Adhere to the YDoS Code of Conduct

Yes, YDoS is open to youth between 18-35 years old. However, younger individuals may participate under the guidance of a registered Project Lead.

Yes! You can volunteer as a group by registering together for an existing project or starting your community project.

The time commitment depends on the project you select. Some projects require just a few hours, while others may last several days.

Yes! All active volunteers and Project Leads who complete the self-paced course learning will receive a digital certificate upon successful participation in YDoS 2025. Certificates will be sent to the emails provided upon registration

No, YDoS is a volunteer-driven initiative, and participation is unpaid. However, some projects may be provide with financial support based on the availability of funding which will be disbursed at the discretion of LEAP Africa.

Your safety is our priority! Follow these safety tips:

• We have created a health & safety kit for all volunteers on how to stay safe, and you can access it on our website here. In the meantime, if you are feeling sick or having signs of high fever, please stay home and rest.
• All Volunteers are also urged to move in groups & seek permission from community stakeholders before embarking on on-site visits & implementing projects across communities (especially those in high-risk areas).
• If you feel unsafe, report any concerns to ydos@leapafrica.org
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Yes, Project Leads may request an official letterhead for stakeholder engagement or fundraising. Requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Email ydos@leapafrica.org with your request.

Visit our website www.youthdayofservice.org or follow us on social media for updates. You can also attend our virtual information session

For general inquiries and partnerships, reach out to ydos@leapafrica.org or visit our Help Desk on the website.