The second chapter of the Young Person’s Guide to Systems Change Fellowship

Available exclusively to graduates of Cohorts 2 and 3 of the Young Person’s Guide to Systems Change Fellowship, From Symptoms to Roots is a unique, exploratory research track designed to take your systems change skills to the next level.

This once-off collaboration invites young changemakers to go beyond addressing surface-level issues and instead uncover — and act on — the root causes shaping their communities. Through this process, fellows learn to apply foundational systems thinking concepts to design micro-interventions that target not just the symptoms of a problem, but its deepest drivers.

Why this track matters:

This initiative builds on the core mission of the Guide: to prepare young people to lead systems transformation. It does so by:

• Strengthening not only analytical skills, but also the relational, emotional, and ethical dimensions of change-making.
• Testing whether the knowledge and experience gained during the six-week Fellowship can translate into real-world, sustainable interventions.  

How it works:

Fellows in From Symptoms to Roots are supported by a Mentorship Circle — a collective of systems thinking experts and grassroots practitioners.
This Circle is not a traditional jury; it’s a collaborative, intergenerational space where mentors:

• Provide feedback and reflection on proposals.
• Offer at least one consultancy session (1–2 hrs) to answer questions.
• (Optionally) Host skills-sharing or thematic workshops.
• Share ongoing resources — from articles to videos — to support fellows’ projects.

The aim is simple: to accompany fellows as they trace their issues to the roots, craft targeted interventions, and leave the Fellowship ready to lead transformative change.

Eligibility reminder: Participation in From Symptoms to Roots is open only to those who have fully completed the Young Person’s Guide to Systems Change Fellowship (Cohorts 2 and 3).

If you’d like to be part of the Young Person’s Guide to Systems Change program, stay tuned to our social media. New cohorts will be open soon!