Youth Leadership Initiative

YLI, a program of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, develops FREE education resources designed to assist civics teachers, and encourage students to participate in the political process.

YLI jump-starts a lifetime of civic engagement for the next generation by creating innovative technology-based projects that bring the American democratic process to life in your classroom. As a non-profit, non-partisan organization, the Center for Politics is dedicated to the idea that government works better when politics work better, and that politics works better when citizens are informed and active participants.

We believe this process begins with our nation’s youngest citizens! Signup to access lesson plans (Complete curriculumdeveloped by teachers) , E Congress (Interactive online legislative simulation), Mock Election (Vote online for real candidates) and Democracy Corps (Our complete service learning program).

If you are a parent, teacher, student, elected official, or citizen, find out how you can implement YLI in your local schools by contacting us directly (434)243-3538, toll free 1-866-514-8389 or ylihelp@virginia.edu.