EU WYDE Mentorship Breakfast Series
2026-04-30 09:00 - 12:00 (Africa/Nairobi)
Session 1: Resilient Leadership in High-Pressure Environments
On 30 April 2026, the first session of the EU WYDE Mentorship Breakfast Series will take place in Accra, Ghana, bringing together emerging political leaders for an interactive exchange on leadership and decision-making. The session is organised by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Ghana Office within the framework of the WYDE Political Parties project, led by the European Network of Political Foundations (ENoP) and funded by the European Union.
The session will focus on “Resilient Leadership in High-Pressure Environments,” addressing the growing need for political leaders who are capable of navigating complex institutional settings while maintaining integrity, accountability and effective decision-making. In today’s political landscape, emerging leaders are increasingly required to operate under pressure, manage competing interests and respond to rapidly evolving challenges, making resilience and ethical leadership key competencies.
Designed as a practical and interactive learning experience, the mentorship session will provide participants with tools and insights to strengthen leadership capacities, enhance decision-making under pressure and develop emotional intelligence and interpersonal effectiveness. The programme combines keynote reflections, breakout mentoring circles and peer exchange, allowing participants to engage directly with experienced practitioners and explore real-life leadership challenges.
The session will feature Hon. Patricia Appiagyei, Deputy Minority Leader in Ghana’s Parliament, as keynote speaker, sharing insights drawn from her experience in governance, political negotiation and leadership under pressure. Participants will also engage in thematic mentoring discussions on leadership decision-making, personal leadership and managing external pressures, guided by expert facilitators.
A key element of the session is its participatory methodology, including breakout mentoring circles and gender-based safe space discussions, designed to encourage open dialogue and tailored reflection on leadership challenges. Participants will conclude the session by identifying concrete leadership actions to implement in their respective contexts, contributing to sustained learning beyond the event.
Through initiatives such as this mentorship series, the WYDE Political Parties project continues to support democratic development by strengthening political leadership, promoting youth participation in politics and fostering dialogue, knowledge exchange and cooperation between political actors across regions.
The session is expected to enhance leadership resilience, strengthen decision-making skills and build a network of young leaders committed to inclusive, ethical and accountable leadership.

Event Details
Event: EU WYDE Mentorship Breakfast Series – Session 1Theme: Resilient Leadership in High-Pressure EnvironmentsDate: 30 April 2026Time: 09:00 – 12:00Location: Airport View Hotel, Accra, GhanaOrganised by: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Ghana OfficeProject: WYDE Political Parties – funded by the European UnionParticipants: Emerging political leaders and WYDE participantsMain topics: Leadership resilience, decision-making under pressure, emotional intelligence, political leadership, gender dynamics and inclusive leadership

EU WYDE Mentorship Breakfast Series - Session 2
2026-06-02 08:30 - 13:00
Session 2: Building Sustainable Leaders: Professionalism, Politics, and Personal Development
On 2 June 2026, emerging political leaders will gather in Accra, Ghana, for the second session of the EU WYDE Mentorship Breakfast Series, focused on “Building Sustainable Leaders: Professionalism, Politics, and Personal Development.” The session is organised by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Ghana Office within the framework of the WYDE Political Parties project, led by the European Network of Political Foundations (ENoP) and funded by the European Union.
Building on the momentum of previous WYDE training workshops and mentorship sessions, the Mentorship Breakfast Series continues to create practical and interactive spaces where young leaders can engage directly with experienced practitioners and reflect on the realities of political and professional leadership.
This second session will focus on the importance of developing sustainable leadership pathways that combine political engagement, professionalism and personal growth. As young leaders increasingly navigate transitions from student leadership into national political and professional environments, the session aims to support participants in strengthening their credibility, independence and long-term leadership capacity.
Through mentoring circles, practical exercises and peer exchange, participants will explore key topics including strategic communication, personal branding, leadership resilience and sustainable political engagement. The programme will also address the importance of financial and professional independence, ethical leadership and long-term career development as essential pillars for credible and effective political leadership.
The session will feature experienced mentors and practitioners who will guide participants through interactive discussions on navigating leadership transitions, building networks and confidence, strengthening public presence and managing leadership responsibilities in complex political environments.
A central component of the programme will be the interactive Mentorship Circles, allowing participants to rotate across thematic discussions and engage deeply with practical leadership challenges. Participants will also take part in hands-on activities such as elevator pitch exercises and collaborative leadership vision challenges designed to strengthen communication, teamwork and strategic thinking skills.
The session will further provide a safe and inclusive space for participants to openly reflect on leadership experiences, career aspirations and personal development journeys, fostering peer learning and mentorship connections among emerging leaders.
Through initiatives such as this mentorship series, the WYDE Political Parties project continues to support democratic development by strengthening political leadership, promoting youth participation in politics and fostering dialogue, knowledge exchange and cooperation between political actors across regions.
The session is expected to strengthen participants’ confidence, communication capacities and leadership resilience, while contributing to the development of a new generation of politically engaged leaders committed to professionalism, integrity and long-term democratic participation.

Event Details
Event: EU WYDE Mentorship Breakfast Series – Session 2
Theme: Building Sustainable Leaders: Professionalism, Politics, and Personal Development
Date: 2 June 2026
Time: 08:30 – 13:00
Location: AH Hotel, East Legon, Accra, Ghana
Organised by: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Ghana Office
Project: WYDE Political Parties – funded by the European Union
Participants: Emerging political leaders and WYDE participants
Main topics: Sustainable leadership, professionalism, political engagement, strategic communication, personal branding and leadership resilience

WYDE Residential Training III
2026-06-25 08:30 - 2026-06-28 13:00
From Ideas to Influence: Advocacy and Policy Engagement for Emerging Leaders

From 25 to 28 June 2026, young leaders from across Ghana will gather in Koforidua for the third and final residential training of the EU WYDE programme, focused on “From Ideas to Influence: Advocacy and Policy Engagement for Emerging Leaders.” Organised by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Ghana Office within the framework of the WYDE Political Parties project, the training marks the culmination of participants’ leadership development journey.

Building on previous trainings dedicated to leadership, communication and professional development, this final residential session will focus on one of the most important dimensions of democratic participation: transforming ideas into policy influence and meaningful civic engagement. As emerging leaders seek to contribute to governance processes, understanding how public policies are shaped, debated and implemented becomes essential for driving sustainable democratic change.

The training will introduce participants to the practical tools and processes of advocacy and policy engagement, enabling them to move beyond theoretical discussions and engage directly with policy analysis, policy brief development, advocacy communication and democratic decision-making. Through expert-led sessions, group work and practical exercises, participants will strengthen their ability to identify public policy challenges, formulate evidence-based recommendations and communicate solutions effectively.

A key focus of the programme will be understanding how policy influence takes place within democratic systems. Participants will explore stakeholder mapping, coalition-building, advocacy strategies and policy communication techniques, while developing the negotiation and public engagement skills needed to advocate for change in complex political environments.

The residential training will also place a strong emphasis on practical application. Working in groups, participants will take part in a Policy Lab, where they will identify governance and development challenges, analyse policy issues and develop concrete policy recommendations. These ideas will then be transformed into policy briefs and advocacy pitches, providing participants with hands-on experience in policy development and strategic communication.

The highlight of the programme will be a Parliamentary Simulation, designed to immerse participants in the realities of democratic debate and decision-making. Acting within a simulated parliamentary setting, participants will present, defend and negotiate their policy proposals, experience coalition-building processes and engage in parliamentary voting procedures. The exercise will demonstrate how policy ideas evolve through debate, compromise and consensus-building, offering a practical understanding of democratic governance in action.

As the final residential training of the programme, the session represents an important milestone in participants’ leadership journey. By combining advocacy, policy development and democratic practice, it seeks to equip emerging leaders with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to contribute meaningfully to public policy processes and democratic governance in Ghana.

Event Details

Event: WYDE Residential Training III
Theme: From Ideas to Influence: Advocacy and Policy Engagement for Emerging Leaders
Date: 25–28 June 2026
Training Sessions: 26–27 June 2026
Location: Abram Hills Hotel, Koforidua, Eastern Region, Ghana
Organised by: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Ghana Office
Project: WYDE Political Parties – funded by the European Union
Participants: Emerging political leaders and WYDE participants
Main topics: Advocacy, policy engagement, policy analysis, policy brief writing, coalition-building, democratic decision-making and parliamentary processes.

Listening to Grassroots Leadership: WYDE Initiative at International Democracy Day Brussels 2026
2026-09-17 16:00 - 17:00
On 17 September, the WYDE Initiative will take part in the 12th edition of the International Democracy Day Brussels Conference, contributing a joint session that brings together perspectives from across the WYDE programme.
Hosted within one of Europe’s leading annual forums on democracy, the session, “WYDE Initiative: Rethinking Leadership from the Ground Up,” will feature representatives from WYDE Women Leadership, WYDE Civic Engagement and WYDE Political Parties. Together, they will explore how grassroots actors are reshaping political participation, leadership and democratic engagement across different regions and contexts.
This year’s International Democracy Day Brussels conference asks a timely question: What’s Next for Democracy? Rather than offering predefined answers, the conference creates space to reflect on how democracy support can adapt to a rapidly changing political landscape. Within this broader conversation, the WYDE Initiative contributes a perspective grounded in lived experience and local leadership.
Across the world, women, young people and community leaders continue to develop new forms of participation, representation and collective action. Yet the realities they face often evolve faster than traditional democracy support mechanisms. The WYDE session creates an opportunity to listen directly to these experiences and reflect on what international partners, policymakers and democracy practitioners can learn from them.
Rather than showcasing projects or presenting institutional achievements, the discussion is designed as a listening exercise. Participants will explore how emerging forms of leadership challenge conventional assumptions about political participation, while highlighting the importance of adapting democracy support to changing realities on the ground.
The panel will bring together:

Tosin Ajayi, Executive Director of Women Environment and Youth Development Initiative (WOYODEV), representing WYDE Women Leadership;
Camila Moreno Gil, representing WYDE Civic Engagement;
Emmy Otim, Regional Manager for East Africa at KIC Sweden and CEO of Distinct Leadership Consults, representing WYDE Political Parties.

The discussion will be moderated by Chiara Grigolo, Associate Programme Officer at International IDEA.
By bringing together three complementary WYDE components in a single conversation, the session reflects the value of collaboration across programmes working to strengthen democratic participation, inclusion and leadership. While each initiative approaches these objectives from a different perspective, the discussion highlights the importance of learning across sectors and recognising grassroots actors not simply as beneficiaries of democracy support, but as partners whose experience can help shape its future.
As democratic contexts continue to evolve, the WYDE Initiative remains committed to creating spaces where local voices, practical experience and collaborative learning inform broader conversations on democracy, participation and inclusive leadership.

Event Details
Event: WYDE Initiative: Rethinking Leadership from the Ground Up
Part of: International Democracy Day Brussels Conference 2026
Conference Theme: What’s Next for Democracy? Innovation and Alliances in a Changing World
Date: 17 September 2026
Location: European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Brussels, Belgium
Organised by: International IDEA, European Partnership for Democracy (EPD), European Network of Political Foundations (ENoP), European Endowment for Democracy (EED) and Carnegie Europe
WYDE Initiative Session Partners: WYDE Women Leadership, WYDE Civic Engagement and WYDE Political Parties
Moderator: Chiara Grigolo, Associate Programme Officer, International IDEA
Speakers:

Tosin Ajayi – Executive Director, Women Environment and Youth Development Initiative (WOYODEV), Nigeria (WYDE Women Leadership)
Camila Moreno Gil – Colombia (WYDE Civic Engagement)
Emmy Otim – Regional Manager for East Africa, KIC Sweden & CEO, Distinct Leadership Consults, Uganda (WYDE Political Parties)
