The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) uses an array of development assistance schemes to meet diverse needs of developing countries around the world. The Young Leaders (YL) Program aims to develop the technical knowledge and skills of the Filipino youth participants through cooperative programs that discuss the sectoral foundations of Japanese society.
JICA is implementing the program with the view of contributing to more sustainable capacity development for young leaders through greater emphasis on specialized technical training in various fields. Under the program, groups of young leaders, who will eventually become nation-builders in the future, are invited to enhance their specialties by experiencing and learning technologies and skills in Japan.
Courses for JFY 2026
Schedule for JFY 2026
Qualifications
- Filipino citizens who are working in any of the following (depending on the course):
- government offices (national and local offices, government owned and controlled corporations, etc.)
- duly recognized non-profit organizations (research and extension offices, etc.)
- development organizations
- Twenty (20) to thirty-five (35) years of age at the time of application
- Directly engaged in the related category/field applied for
- Physically and mentally fit
- From the non-military sector
- Should not have, in principle, stayed or visited Japan
- Holder of a valid passport
- Preferably has been employed for at least two years of service in permanent status in the nominating office
- No pending application for scholarship under another study program or for migration/emigration
- Check the General Information of the course for specific target agency/participants and other details
Application Requirements
The applicant should use the given format for the requirements:
- Official Nomination Letter signed by the Department Secretary/Head of Agency (following the nomination protocols of your agency), and addressed to:
- Mr. BABA Takashi, Chief Representative of JICA Philippines Office
- Recommendation from Immediate Supervisor to assess applicant's performance at work, specific projects handled relevant to the program, and to certify their proper qualifications in participating in the program, and addressed
- Mr. BABA Takashi, Chief Representative of JICA Philippines Office
- YL Application Form with 2x2 in. photo in white background. (Handwritten will not be accepted)
- Additional Required Data Form (Handwritten will not be accepted)
- Inception Report (Handwritten will not be accepted)
- Young Leader's Certification signed by an authorized signatory/officer of the nominating organization (e.g. Human Resource Officer/Training Officer/Supervisor/Head of Office)
- employment
- no administrative or criminal case
- no pending nomination to other local and foreign scholarship/s
- no pending service obligation/s from previous training/scholarship/s
- PES rating of at least Very Satisfactory for 2 consecutive semesters
- non-withdrawal without justifiable reason and without prior notice
- Official Service Record of the applicant from the nomination organization
- Photocopy of Passport valid at least 6 months from the date of travel
- Note that government employees must secure Official Passport upon acceptance to the Program.
- If expired, any valid government ID containing the name, date of birth, nationality, ang gender of the applicant
- JICA Medical Certificate from physician stating that the nominee is 'fit to travel and undergo training in Japan'
Submission
Kindly submit the accomplished form and other requirements not later than 3 PM on the prescribed deadline to:
TRAINING PROGRAM SECTION
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
40th Floor, Yuchengco Tower, RCBC Plaza
6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati City
Telephone no.:
8889-7119 local 143
Email Address:
jicapp_tps@jica.go.jp
- False information made by the applicant in his/her application will automatically disqualify him/her from the Program.
- For applicants from government organizations, kindly ensure that you are following proper endorsement process by contacting your central office. For some government organizations, endorsement by regional or bureau director is enough, and would be valid basis for the issuance of travel authority when accepted. Meanwhile, some organizations require that the nominee should be endorsed by the central office.
- For applicants from local government units (LGUs), after the endorsement of the Local Chief Executive (LCE), the mandatory procedure is the issuance of the DILG Provincial and Regional endorsement (by the DILG Provincial and Regional Director) of a potential participant/nominee to the DILG CLGSC-LGA office for proper assessment, evaluation and endorsement. Kindly inform the Local Government Academy (LGA) about your application for proper guidance.
Contact Person: Mr. Albert S. Ual, DILG-CLGS Secretariat/Scholarship Coordinator
Contact numbers: +63-02-8634-1912 or 0917-4510963
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