RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 8 ADJ’s experience in youth leadership development JF BMJ Leader JO BMJ Leader FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP A3 OP A4 DO 10.1136/leader-2021-FMLM.8 VO 5 IS Suppl 1 A1 Chaluppe, Matheus A1 Patrício, Bruna A1 Ripoli, Pedro A1 Xavier, Lucas A1 Barone, Mark YR 2021 UL http://bmjleader.bmj.com/content/5/Suppl_1/A3.2.abstract AB ADJ Diabetes Brasil, a Brazilian not-for-profit organization founded in 1980, has been offering since 2009 leadership training programs for youth. During the first 10 years, the programs were exclusively offered to individuals between 15 and 25 years old living with or interested in diabetes. Since 2020, the organization has broadened its programs to youth from 13 to 25 years old, including interest in other health areas, gender equity, domestic violence, education and environment. Furthermore, Brazil is the fifth country in number of people with diabetes (16.8 million adults) and the lack of information and adequate care for its management lead to complications such as neuropathy and coronary artery disease. In addition to health challenges, the country faces social problems such as femicide. The program consists of an intensive program made up of practical workshops during 6 months. It aims to develop skills such as fundraising, empathy, resilience, health education, human rights and advocacy, leadership, effective communication, storytelling, persuasion and interpersonal relationships.The activities rely on the collaboration of expert facilitators from different sectors. However, the COVID-19 pandemic obliged us to adapt most of the program to online platforms. Therefore, this created a new challenge of engaging the youth through one additional online activity.The impact and benefits identified in the program resulted in the preparation of young leaders that became some of the most active health and social advocates and entrepreneurs in national and international platforms. The purpose of the program is to train young leaders, so that they become fully aware of the reality of their surroundings and empowered to use their voice to generate consistent changes in their lives, communities and society. These changes are expected to positively impact the public health, organization of the society and everyone’s wellbeing, especially for the most vulnerable individuals.