MSYAMSYAThe Civic Engagement Leadership Academy (CELA) is a flagship National Service initiative of the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs (MSYA) designed to develop a new generation of responsible, ethical, and service-oriented young leaders across Trinidad and Tobago.
CELA delivers a structured (6) six-month programme that integrates competency-based training, civic education, leadership development, and supervised volunteer service. Through a blended learning model, participants gain practical skills, civic awareness, and real-world experience that prepare them to contribute meaningfully to their communities and the nation.
By combining classroom learning, applied skill-building, and hands-on community engagement, CELA equips young people for active citizenship, community leadership, and improved employability, while fostering national pride, social responsibility, and a commitment to service.
The Civic Engagement Leadership Academy (CELA) aims to:
Through these objectives, CELA supports national development priorities by positioning youth as active contributors to social cohesion, community resilience, and sustainable national growth.
The Civic Engagement Leadership Academy (CELA) Programme is open to nationals of Trinidad and Tobago who meet the following criteria:
Applicants to the Civic Engagement Leadership Academy (CELA) Programme must meet the following minimum requirements:
Recommenders must be individuals of good standing who can objectively attest to the applicant’s character, integrity, and suitability for the Civic Engagement Leadership Academy (CELA) Programme.
Immediate relatives are not permitted to serve as recommenders.
The following categories of individuals are considered qualified recommenders:
Yes. Applicants are required to submit a Police Certificate of Character or an official receipt indicating that their application is in progress before commencing Phase 2 (Volunteer Service) of the Civic Engagement Leadership Academy (CELA) Programme.
The Civic Engagement Leadership Academy (CELA) Programme is delivered over a period of six (6) months and is structured into two (2) distinct phases, as outlined below:
Phase 1 – Training (3 months)
This phase focuses on building participants’ leadership, civic awareness, and practical skills through a blended learning approach.
Phase 2 – Volunteer Service (3 months)
This phase provides participants with hands-on experience through meaningful community engagement.
The Civic Engagement Leadership Academy (CELA) Programme comprises compulsory core modules and specialization tracks, designed to equip participants with essential leadership skills and practical, community-focused competencies.
Compulsory Modules
All participants are required to complete the following core modules:
Specialization Tracks
In addition to the compulsory modules, participants must select one (1) specialization track based on their interests and development goals:
The Capstone Project is a compulsory, group-based assignment that enables participants to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the training phase of the Civic Engagement Leadership Academy (CELA) Programme.
Through the Capstone Project, participants are required to:
Capstone Projects may focus on, but are not limited to, areas such as environmental action, youth mentorship, digital advocacy, community enterprise, and elder care, reflecting the programme’s emphasis on meaningful civic engagement and community impact.
The Civic Engagement Leadership Academy (CELA) is designed as a part-time programme, allowing participants to balance their involvement with work, studies, and other personal commitments.
Training sessions are conducted in the evenings to ensure accessibility for working youth and students, as outlined below:
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Mondays and Wednesdays, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., or Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., depending on the specialization track selected.
Volunteer service hours under Phase 2 are flexible and are scheduled in collaboration with approved host organizations.
CELA is delivered using a blended learning model, which combines both online and in-person engagement:
In-person sessions for the Civic Engagement Leadership Academy (CELA) Programme may be conducted at Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs (MSYA) facilities and approved partner locations, which may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Final venues will be communicated to participants in advance to ensure adequate preparation and accessibility.
Participants will be placed with approved host organisations aligned with the objectives of the Civic Engagement Leadership Academy (CELA) Programme. Volunteer placements may take place at:
Placements will be coordinated to ensure meaningful engagement, appropriate supervision, and alignment with participants’ interests and programme requirements.
Volunteer placements are assigned by the programme administrators in collaboration with approved host organizations. Placement decisions are guided by:
Every effort is made to ensure placements are meaningful, relevant, and developmental, while meeting programme requirements.
Yes. All participants will be supervised by a designated supervisor at their host organization. Supervision includes:
Programme coordinators will also monitor placements to ensure compliance with CELA standards and to protect participants’ well-being.
Volunteer service is assessed based on:
SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE VOLUNTEER SERVICE PHASE IS MANDATORY FOR PROGRAMME COMPLETION.
Yes. Attendance is mandatory for all scheduled training sessions, activities, and programme components under the Civic Engagement Leadership Academy (CELA) Programme.
Participants are expected to:
Failure to meet minimum attendance and participation requirements may affect eligibility for certification.
Participants must maintain a minimum attendance rate of 80% across all training modules and programme activities.
Attendance will be monitored and recorded throughout the programme to ensure compliance with CELA standards.
Yes. Participants who complete all programme requirements will be awarded a Certificate of Completion
To qualify for certification, participants must:
Participants who are unable to complete the programme due to exceptional circumstances must notify the programme administrators as soon as possible.
Depending on the circumstances, options may include:
Each case will be reviewed on an individual basis.
Yes. The Civic Engagement Leadership Academy (CELA) Programme is designed to enhance participants’ employability and workplace readiness by developing a range of transferable skills highly valued by employers across the public, private, and civil society sectors.
Through structured training, practical application, and volunteer service, participants build competencies in:
These competencies support participants in transitioning into employment, further education, or leadership roles within their communities.
While successful completion of the CELA Programme does not guarantee employment, graduates are well-positioned and competitively prepared for entry-level and developmental roles across the youth, community, and social development sectors.
Potential roles include, but are not limited to:
The programme also provides participants with relevant experience and professional exposure that may strengthen future employment prospects and career advancement.
No. The Civic Engagement Leadership Academy (CELA) Programme is offered at no cost to selected participants. The Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs fully funds the programme.
No. The Civic Engagement Leadership Academy (CELA) Programme is a volunteer-based national service initiative and therefore does not provide a stipend or financial allowance to participants.
Participants gain non-monetary benefits, including skills development, practical experience, certification, and community engagement opportunities.
Applications to the Civic Engagement Leadership Academy (CELA) Programme may be submitted through either of the following methods:
Applicants are encouraged to ensure that all required information is accurately completed before submission.
Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documents as part of the application process:
Police Certificate of Character or an official receipt indicating that the application is in progress (required before commencing Phase 2 – Volunteer Service).
Incomplete applications or applications submitted without the required documentation may not be considered.
Yes. Application deadlines will be announced by the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs (MSYA) before the commencement of each CELA cohort.
Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications early to allow sufficient time for review and processing.
Applicants are selected through a structured review process conducted by the programme administrators. Selection is based on:
Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not automatically guarantee selection.
Yes. All applicants will be formally notified of the outcome of their application once the selection process is complete.
Successful applicants will receive further information regarding onboarding, orientation, and programme commencement dates.
For additional information or assistance regarding the Civic Engagement Leadership Academy (CELA) Programme, applicants may contact:
The first cohort of the Civic Engagement Leadership Academy (CELA) Programme is scheduled to run from February 3rd to July 30th, 2026.
Official announcements, including future cohort timelines, will be published on the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs (MSYA) website and official social media platforms.
For official updates and additional information regarding the Civic Engagement Leadership Academy (CELA) Programme, please refer to the following channels:
You may also contact the National Service Unit at the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs (MSYA) for further assistance.
Yes. All participants are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct throughout the programme.
Participants are expected to:
Breaches of the Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action, including removal from the programme.
This FAQ provides clear, transparent, and comprehensive information about the Civic Engagement Leadership Academy (CELA). The Ministry reserves the right to update programme details as necessary.