EdLight Summer Leadership Program
Empowering the youth of Haiti with skills and knowledge to become better leaders and future citizens.
The flagship leadership experience for Haitian teens
Since 2022, ESLP has combined world-class facilitation, real-world exposure, and a vibrant alumni network so young leaders can transform their ideas into action.
What is the EdLight Summer Leadership Program?
Launched in August 2022, ESLP is a two-week summer program for students between 15 and 18 years old designed to empower their leadership skills.
The idea came from the fact that no proper programs in Haiti bring students together to reflect on global and local issues. ESLP creates a viable space where students are introduced to concepts and practices that help make them better future citizens.
We have had several prominent speakers from leading organizations and institutions — including Harvard, MIT, Microsoft, Deutsche Bank, and Cornell — who joined the program to share their expertise and inspire our fellows.
Inside the ESLP residency
High-energy days blend leadership labs, design thinking, cultural exploration, and community-building.
Leadership studios
Interactive sessions on personal leadership, social innovation, public speaking, and collaborative problem solving.
Masterclasses & mentors
Facilitated by Haitian and international leaders from Harvard, MIT, Deutsche Bank, Microsoft, and more.
City immersions
Site visits to companies, embassies, media houses, and cultural institutions that expand each fellow's worldview.
Impact pitch night
Cohort teams design initiatives for Haitian communities and present them to a panel of mentors and partners.
Signature experience
Capstone Challenge Week
Fellows collaborate in multidisciplinary squads of 4–5 to design solutions for local challenges. Each team is paired with an experienced mentor in entrepreneurship and project development. They complete stakeholder interviews, prototype ideas, and present an actionable roadmap during the closing pitch night in front of families, alumni, and partners.
Curriculum
The ESLP curriculum focuses on five core areas spread across the two-week program. For each topic, we invite expert speakers from leading institutions.
Personal Discovery
Self-awareness, leadership styles, values mapping, and public speaking.
Professional Orientation
Career exploration, résumé clinics, and mentorship from industry professionals.
College Admissions & Scholarships
Guidance on studying abroad in the USA, Canada, France, Taiwan, Morocco, and more.
Finance
Personal finance, budgeting, saving, and understanding the economic landscape.
Entrepreneurship
Business model canvas, market research, prototyping, and the final capstone pitch.
In parallel, students are grouped into teams and challenged to develop a project that addresses a specific need in their community. The program also includes an excursion to a major company in Port-au-Prince, allowing students to gain real-world insights into workplace dynamics, innovation, and leadership in action.
Experience the curriculum
From virtual seminars with world-class speakers to hands-on excursions and a celebration of achievement.
Interactive virtual seminars
From 9 AM to 12 PM, fellows meet virtually with expert speakers from institutions like Harvard, MIT, Cornell, Deutsche Bank, and Microsoft. Interactive sessions cover leadership, personal development, college admissions, finance, and entrepreneurship — offering students a platform to engage directly with industry leaders.
Journey
From application to alumni leadership
ESLP is designed as a guided journey. Fellows receive holistic support at every phase — from recruitment to post-program mentorship.
Discover
We recruit curious, community-minded students ready to grow as leaders.
- Application form with short essays
- Submit transcripts and an ID photo
- Selection based on motivation, service, and representation
Prepare
Accepted fellows join pre-program circles that build community before day one.
- Welcome orientation for fellows and families
- Laptop, webcam, and stable internet required
- Receive your EdLight welcome package
Immerse
Two weeks of experiential learning blending seminars, fieldwork, and creative expression.
- Morning virtual seminars with expert speakers
- Team-based entrepreneurial projects with mentors
- Excursion to a prominent company in Port-au-Prince
Amplify
Fellows graduate, join the alumni network, and continue to launch community projects.
- Capstone pitch showcase with partners and families
- Alumni mentorship and micro-grant opportunities
- Ongoing leadership coaching with the EdLight team
Eligibility & selection
We're looking for young leaders who are eager to learn, collaborate, and serve their communities.
Who should apply?
- Students aged 15–18 currently enrolled in a Haitian high school.
- Learners who demonstrate curiosity, teamwork, empathy, and leadership potential.
- Participants committed to attending every session, workshop, and excursion.
How we select fellows
ESLP is highly competitive. We evaluate each application holistically to build a diverse, mission-aligned cohort of ~30 students.
- Motivation, character, and alignment with EdLight's mission
- Community involvement or leadership in clubs, faith groups, or initiatives
- Academic curiosity, discipline, and willingness to learn
- Balanced representation across regions, schools, and gender
How to apply
When applications open, submit your documents through our online form. Here's what you'll need:
Application Form
Fill out the form with your name, address, school information, and more.
Two Essays
One about your extracurricular activities, another showcasing your interest in the program.
ID Picture
Provide a recent ID picture for identification purposes.
Transcripts
Submit your current academic year transcripts as a PDF.
ESLP 2026
The next edition of the EdLight Summer Leadership Program has not been announced yet. Dates, application deadlines, and details will be shared soon. Sign up to be the first to know!
Fully funded for every fellow
ESLP is powered by partners and donors who believe that leadership development should be accessible.
All-inclusive experience
Workshops, curriculum materials, supplies, and daily meals provided for every fellow.
Excursions & cultural labs
Transportation and entries for site visits, service projects, and cultural events covered in full.
Mentors & alumni network
Access to industry mentors plus ongoing guidance from ESLP alumni after graduation.
Certificate of distinction
Recognizes leadership, collaboration, and successful completion of capstone projects.
Scholarship guarantee
Every fellow attends ESLP tuition-free. Sponsors help cover travel stipends, technology, and launch grants for alumni-led initiatives.
Voices from our alumni
Meet the inspiring faces of our past participants. Through ESLP, they have honed their skills, gained invaluable insights, and forged lifelong connections.
Stephanie Laurent
ESLP 2024 Alumni
"The Summer Leadership Program connected me with incredible mentors and peers. I learned leadership skills that I use every day in my community work."
Frequently asked questions
Need more details? Email eslp@edlight.org and our team will follow up within two business days.
When does the next cohort take place?▾
The ESLP 2026 edition has not been announced yet. Dates, application deadlines, and orientation details will be shared on our channels and by email. Stay tuned!
Is the program really free?▾
Yes. Thanks to generous partners and sponsors, ESLP covers all program costs including materials, meals, excursions, and local transportation.
What documents will I need to apply?▾
Typically you submit: (1) an application form, (2) two essays — one about your extracurricular activities and another about your interest in the program, (3) a recent ID picture, and (4) your current academic transcripts as a PDF.
Do fellows need to speak English?▾
Sessions are bilingual (Kreyòl and French/English). Comfort with Kreyòl is essential. Fellows also gain access to additional language practice resources during the residency.
What do I need to prepare before the program?▾
You will need a laptop or desktop with a webcam, a reliable internet connection, Zoom installed, plus a notebook and pencil. You may also receive a welcome package from EdLight.
How can organizations get involved?▾
Organizations can mentor a session, host an excursion, provide scholarships, or offer internships to ESLP alumni. Reach out to eslp@edlight.org to co-create a partnership.
ESLP 2026 · Dates coming soon
Ready to lead with purpose?
Sign up to be notified when applications open. You can also nominate a student or partner with ESLP to sponsor the next generation of Haitian leaders.