About CLINK
A youth-centred ecosystem organisation
CLINK exists to connect young people with the expertise, organisations, technology and opportunities that turn the challenges affecting them into practical solutions.
Who we are
A connector, convener and enabler
CLINK is not designed as a conventional organisation that builds a specialist programme in every sector. Its role is to connect young people with organisations, technical expertise, technology, knowledge, resources and opportunities so that they can jointly understand problems, co-design responses, test solutions and generate learning.
CLINK does not need to own every solution. It needs to build the platform through which the right people and organisations can create solutions together. That means reducing duplication with organisations already working in health, protection, climate, education and other sectors, and creating a credible role for CLINK as connector, convener, innovation enabler and knowledge platform.
Young people should not only be beneficiaries of solutions. They should be designers, builders, connectors and leaders of them. That principle shapes who we partner with, how programmes are designed and what we count as success.
- Positioning
- A youth-centred ecosystem organisation connecting young people, organisations, expertise, technology, knowledge and opportunities.
- Tagline
- Youth-led solutions. Powered by technology.
- Short promise
- Connecting young people. Enabling solutions.
- Core philosophy
- Young people should not only be beneficiaries. They should be designers, builders, connectors and leaders of solutions.
Vision
A future where young people lead, innovate and collaborate to create lasting solutions to challenges affecting their communities.
Mission
To equip young people with the skills, leadership, networks and opportunities to thrive, and connect them with organisations, expertise and technology to co-create practical solutions to challenges affecting their lives and communities.
The best youth-focused solutions emerge when young people, specialist organisations, knowledge, technology and resources work together.
Theory of change
From lived experience to lasting solutions
Our model follows a clear sequence. Each stage depends on the one before it, and the partnership model is what carries it forward.
- 01
Young people
Young people identify needs, challenges and opportunities from their lived experience.
- 02
Capacity
CLINK builds leadership, practical skills, critical thinking and knowledge.
- 03
Connection
Young people are connected to mentors, specialists, organisations, institutions and opportunities.
- 04
Collaboration
Young people and partners co-design responses using appropriate technology and evidence.
- 05
Solutions
Teams develop campaigns, services, products, community interventions, digital tools or policy responses.
- 06
Testing and learning
Solutions are tested, measured, documented and improved.
- 07
Impact
Promising approaches are strengthened, replicated, scaled or used to influence programmes and policy.
Strategic objectives
What we are trying to achieve
Four objectives guide how CLINK prioritises its work and measures progress.
Develop young leaders
Build leadership, civic participation, communication, critical thinking, decision-making and problem-solving capacity.
Expand skills, networks and opportunities
Connect young people to mentors, employers, fellowships, scholarships, internships, entrepreneurship, technical experts and other pathways.
Enable youth-led innovation and collaboration
Help young people identify problems and work with specialist partners to design, build, test and improve practical solutions.
Generate knowledge and influence
Produce research, evidence, learning and policy-oriented knowledge that improves youth-focused programmes and decision-making.
Founding principle
Build around the gap
Do not create a new programme merely because a problem exists. First ask who is already doing credible work, what young people actually need, what gap remains, and what CLINK can uniquely contribute. Then build the partnership around that gap.
From beneficiaries to builders.
What CLINK should not become
- Another generic digital skills centre.
- Another youth empowerment organisation with disconnected short-term projects.
- A specialist health or GBV service provider without the required technical capacity.
- A climate organisation simply because climate is a current funding theme.
- A conference and event organisation.
- A certificate-distribution programme.
- A technology company whose social mission is unclear.
Governance
How CLINK is governed
Accountability sits with the Board. Delivery is lean by design, with specialist capacity accessed through partners and the Technical Advisory Network rather than built into every theme.
| Body | Primary responsibility |
|---|---|
| Board of Directors / Trustees (5 to 7) | Governance, fiduciary oversight, strategic direction, risk and accountability. |
| Executive Director | Strategy, partnerships, organisational performance, resource mobilisation and external representation. |
| Programmes and Leadership | Leadership programmes, youth engagement and thematic programme coordination. |
| Innovation and Partnerships | Innovation Lab, partner ecosystem, co-design and solution development. |
| Operations and Finance | Finance, administration, HR, procurement, compliance and systems. |
| Knowledge and Evidence | Research, monitoring, evaluation, learning, documentation and policy influence. |
| Youth Advisory Council (7 to 12) | Formal youth voice in programme design, review, communications and innovation priorities. |
| Technical Advisory Network | Non-permanent specialist pool providing sector expertise and quality assurance. |
Management structure
A lean starting structure is recommended. Specialist technical capacity is accessed through partners and the Technical Advisory Network rather than creating full-time departments for every theme.
- Board / Trustees
- Executive Director
- Programmes and Leadership
- Innovation and Partnerships
- Operations and Finance
- Knowledge and Evidence
The Youth Advisory Council and Technical Advisory Network have direct access to the Executive Director and relevant programme teams.
Want to work with CLINK?
We are happy to discuss partnership, programmes and how the model could apply to the issues you work on.