Programmes · Youth Leadership
Young People as Leaders
NYSA believes leadership is not a title. Our youth leadership programmes create the conditions for young people to step forward, take initiative and lead within their communities, their sports and their futures.
Leadership Pathways
Leadership development at NYSA is structured, progressive and grounded in real experience. We do not teach leadership as a concept, we create environments where young people practise it.
Our pathways are designed to meet young people where they are and grow with them. Whether someone is taking their first steps in a community project or stepping into a regional leadership role, there is a pathway at NYSA that fits.
- 01
Discover
Introduction to leadership principles, self-awareness and purpose. Ideal for young people exploring what leadership means for them.
- 02
Develop
Hands-on experience through projects, facilitation and peer collaboration. Building practical skills in real contexts.
- 03
Lead
Taking ownership of initiatives, mentoring others and representing NYSA in wider networks and communities.
International Mobility
NYSA creates pathways for young people to gain international experience through EU-funded projects, exchange programmes and cross-border partnerships. We believe that exposure to different cultures, systems and perspectives is one of the most powerful forms of leadership development available.
Through programmes including Erasmus+ Sport and our network of European and global partners, young people from NYSA's community have access to mobility opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach.
What's available
Erasmus+ Sport Projects
Funded opportunities to participate in international research, training and knowledge exchange across Europe.
Partner Exchange Programmes
Placements and visits through NYSA's network of universities, sports organisations and NGOs worldwide.
International Events & Camps
High-performance camps and leadership events hosted across Europe, Africa and Asia.
Volunteer or Intern With Us
Volunteering and interning with NYSA are not just about giving time, they are genuine development opportunities. You contribute to real projects, develop transferable skills, build international networks and become part of a global community committed to positive change through sport.
We welcome people at all stages of their journey, from students and recent graduates to experienced practitioners looking to contribute to something meaningful.
Volunteering offers
Project Support
Contributing to active NYSA projects across community sport, education and international programmes.
Event & Camp Delivery
Supporting the delivery of coaching courses, camps and community events across NYSA's regions.
Content & Communications
Helping tell NYSA's story through social media, articles, photography and video.
Internship opportunities
Research & Innovation
Supporting EU-funded research and innovation projects, from data and analysis to reporting and dissemination.
Brand, Media & Content
Developing NYSA's brand and storytelling across content, design, video and social media.
Project & Business Development
Gaining hands-on experience in project coordination, partnerships and the day-to-day running of a social enterprise.
Community Engagement
NYSA's youth leadership work is always locally rooted. We work within communities, co-creating programmes that reflect local needs, cultures and strengths.
From weekly skills sessions in Sweden to coach education programmes in the Philippines, our community engagement work puts young people and local leaders at the centre of everything we design and deliver.
Examples of community work
Skills Skola — Sweden
Weekly football and development sessions for children in local communities, designed around fun, inclusion and skill-building.
Coach Education — Philippines
Three-day certification courses for local coaches, empowering community leaders to create safer and more inclusive environments for young people.
Addis Ababa — Ethiopia
Alongside OCDA in Addis Ababa, NYSA delivered coach education and football sessions with over 150 children, laying the groundwork for a locally-led Centre of Excellence.
Ready to Lead?
Whether you are a young person looking for your next step, a coach wanting to develop others, or an organisation seeking to build leadership capacity, there is a place for you in NYSA's youth leadership community.