Our Model
CorpsAfrica is a leader in community-centered development, putting local communities and African youth at the center of lasting change.
We believe the people closest to a challenge are best positioned to shape its solutions. Through our model, young African Volunteers live and work alongside rural communities to listen, build trust, identify local priorities, and support communities in designing and implementing their own ideas.
Our approach is collaborative, participatory, and designed to last. We bring together communities, Volunteers, local organizations, governments, and development partners to strengthen locally led development and build a more effective, sustainable approach to creating change.
How We Work
We work alongside communities and invest in the African leaders shaping their countries’ futures.
CorpsAfrica brings together the lived experience of rural communities and the energy, talent, and leadership of young Africans. CorpsAfrica Volunteers live and work alongside community members, building relationships and listening to understand local priorities before working together to design and implement solutions.
We invest in community-designed projects that build on local knowledge, resources, and strengths, creating a foundation for solutions that can continue long after a Volunteer completes their year of service. At the same time, we invest in Volunteers as leaders, equipping them with the skills and experience to carry community-centered development into their careers and communities.
Our work extends beyond a Volunteer’s year of service. Through alumni training and leadership development, we continue to support former Volunteers as they become leaders in their countries. We also train organizations and development partners in our approach, helping bring community-centered development to more communities beyond the CorpsAfrica network.
Putting People at the Center of Development
CorpsAfrica trains Volunteers in Human-Centered Design and Asset-Based Community Development so they can listen deeply, build on local strengths, and work alongside communities to turn locally identified ideas into lasting solutions.
Building Leaders Beyond Service
A CorpsAfrica Volunteer’s year of service is just the beginning. We continue investing in our Alumni as they build careers, launch businesses, pursue advanced education, and take on leadership roles across their communities and countries.
Through continued training, mentorship, and opportunities like the Entrepreneurship Incubator and Matching Scholarship Program, Alumni have the support and resources to turn their service experience into a lifetime of leadership and impact.
Turning Local Ideas Into Local Investment
Pitch Day puts community-led development in the hands of the people closest to it. CorpsAfrica Volunteers pitch projects designed with the communities they serve to a room of local business leaders, philanthropists, Alumni, development professionals, and supporters who have the opportunity to invest directly in those ideas.
More than a fundraising event, Pitch Day builds a culture of local philanthropy while giving African youth a platform to develop their leadership, communication, and entrepreneurial skills.
Building Stronger Partnerships
CorpsAfrica works alongside NGOs, businesses, governments, academics, social entrepreneurs, and other partners to extend the reach of development efforts into rural communities. Our Volunteers bring local knowledge, trusted relationships, and an on-the-ground presence that helps partners connect their resources and expertise with communities that are often difficult to reach.
Human Centered Design Training Centers
CorpsAfrica’s Human-Centered Design (HCD) Centers equip organizations, institutions, and changemakers with the tools, training, and support to turn complex challenges into practical, locally driven solutions.
Explore our HCD Centers to learn about our training programs, support services, and partnership opportunities across Africa.
Get to Know CorpsAfrica
Founded in 2011 by a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, CorpsAfrica recruits, trains, and supports college-educated African youth to serve in rural communities within their own countries. Today, we’re building a pan-African movement rooted in volunteerism, entrepreneurship, and community-led development.
Discover our story, our impact, and the people behind CorpsAfrica.