Building on the success of its global program, YouthActionNet® has taken root at the national level, offering many more young leaders the skills, opportunities, and recognition to drive change in their communities. Established within individual countries/regions, local programs support young social innovators while strengthening the youth leadership sector at the national level. Deeply rooted in the context where they operate, local programs select youth leaders to participate in intensive training that can include a 10-12 month fellowship; small grants; networking and advocacy opportunities, and technical support.

YouthActionNet®’s first national program in Mexico was launched by the Universidad del Valle de México in 2006, with the generous support of the Sylvan/Laureate Foundation. This program served as a model for future national programs throughout the Laureate International Universities (LIU) network. Since then, the Foundation has sponsored national programs in Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Honduras, Peru, Spain, and Turkey through the LIU network, and is now sponsor of the Laureate Global Fellows program.