Systems Acumen For Youth-Led Development Solutions

26/08/2026

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲

When I founded SAYDS (sayds.co) and designed the fellowship program, my main goal was not just to introduce youth to systems thinking, but to ensure that the knowledge and analytical skills they acquire remain durable, as mastery of systems thinking is deepened through continuous, real-world application across diverse contexts.

To bridge this transition, we established an alum association- the SAYDS Community Association (SCA), where fellows would continue to collaborate, test complex problem-solving frameworks, and continuously deepen their systems acumen through hands-on practice.

In SCA, our fellows have been applying systems thinking methodologies across a diverse range of local and international initiatives—translating systems thinking lessons learned in class into action.

SCA has just launched an updated page showcasing its ongoing projects, community work, and global engagements.

Take a look at how our alums are deepening their systems thinking acumen and building durable, lifelong skills through local and international work: https://www.sayds.co/sca/

If you or your organization is looking for collaborators with strong systems thinking skills to support your social change work, consider partnering with SCA. Reach out to connect with us here: https://www.sayds.co/contact-us/

12/08/2026

COMING SUMMER 2027: SAYDS FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM - U.S.A

Would you like to acquire the systems thinking skills and practical field experiences needed to tackle complex social problems and catalyze lasting social change?

Building on 8+ years of field-tested impact in Kenya, Systems Acumen for Youth-Led Development Solutions (SAYDS) is expanding its flagship Fellowship Program to the U.S. in Summer 2027!

The SAYDS Fellowship transforms how social change agents approach complex challenges—equipping them with practical systems thinking tools to design substantive, community-rooted solutions.

Who this is for: Upper-level high school students, college students, recent graduates, young professionals in social change careers, youth leaders running non-profits and social enterprises, and passionate young people looking to acquire durable systems thinking skills to serve impacted communities.

This fellowship is grounded directly in the official SAYDS field immersion curriculum. Want to explore our pedagogical approach? Take a look at our SAYDS Fellowship Prospectus:https://www.sayds.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/SAYDS-Fellowship-Prospectus-Print.pdf

To learn more about our mission, vision, and ecosystem of youth-led innovation, visit https://www.sayds.co/

Stay tuned for application dates and cohort details launching soon for Summer 2027!

Our Complexity Analysis Toolkit equips youth with the knowledge required to address complex social problems such as that are often resistant to simple solutions.

09/08/2026

Over the past 8 years of designing, improving, and implementing the SAYDS program in Kenya, one of the most important lessons I have learned is that durable systems thinking skills are are best forged through immersive experiences in real-world contexts where dynamic, complex social factors undermine wellbeing and remain underaddressed.

Leading four cohorts of fellows through this field immersion has proven that these critical skills for lasting social change can be successfully taught—and that insight has motivated me to equip social change agents globally through our upcoming Immersive Experience in Kenya.

Who this is for: This upcoming immersion is designed for college students, recent graduates, young professionals, youth leaders running social entrepreneurship initiatives and non-profits, and passionate young people looking to acquire durable systems thinking skills to address complex social problems.

I’m excited to launch my new personal website: https://www.levyodera.com/ It's a dedicated space showcasing the broad knowledge background and interdisciplinary experiences that will inform our upcoming immersive experience in Kenya.

This next program is grounded directly in the official SAYDS field immersion curriculum. Want to explore our pedagogical approach? Take a look at our SAYDS Fellowship Prospectus: https://www.sayds.co/.../SAYDS-Fellowship-Prospectus... https://www.levyodera.com/ to explore the foundation behind this work, and keep an eye out for full details dropping soon!

Dr. Levy Odera is a policy practitioner and thought leader in systems thinking, complexity science and youth development. Through teaching, research, and international collaborations, he advances innovative approaches to policymaking that promote wellbeing and sustainable development.