Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Youth for Purpose Africa ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our website, platform, and services.

This policy complies with the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), South Africa's Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), and Namibian data protection laws.

2. Data Controller Information

3. Information We Collect

3.1 Personal Information You Provide

• Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, postal address
• Profile Information: Date of birth, gender, educational background, skills, interests
• Application Information: CV/resume, cover letters, references, work experience
• Program Enrollment: Course preferences, availability, emergency contacts
• Volunteer Information: Availability, skills, background checks, motivation
• Partnership Details: Organization information, goals, contact persons
• Communication: Messages, feedback, support requests

3.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Technical Data: IP address, browser type, device information, operating system
• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent, click patterns, referral sources
• Location Data: General location based on IP address (not precise location)
• Cookies: Preferences, authentication status, analytics data

3.3 Information from Third Parties

• Social Media: Public profile information if you connect social accounts
• References: Information provided by professional or character references
• Background Checks: Verification services for volunteer and employment screening

4. Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal information based on the following legal grounds:

• Consent: You have given clear consent for specific processing purposes
• Contract: Processing is necessary for program enrollment, volunteer agreements, or employment
• Legal Obligation: Compliance with legal requirements (e.g., background checks)
• Legitimate Interests: Our legitimate interests in operating programs and services
• Vital Interests: Protecting health and safety in emergency situations

5. How We Use Your Information

5.1 Primary Purposes

• Process applications for programs, volunteering, partnerships, and employment
• Provide educational services, training, and program delivery
• Communicate about programs, opportunities, and organizational updates
• Evaluate and improve our services and programs
• Ensure safety and security of participants
• Comply with legal and regulatory requirements

5.2 Secondary Purposes (with consent)

• Send newsletters and marketing communications
• Invite participation in surveys and research
• Share success stories and impact reports (anonymized)
• Analyze usage patterns for service improvement

6. Information Sharing and Disclosure

6.1 We May Share Information With:

• Service Providers: Trusted third parties who assist in operations (with data processing agreements)
• Program Partners: Educational institutions and organizations for program delivery
• Legal Authorities: When required by law or to protect rights and safety
• Professional References: Contacts you provide for verification purposes
• Emergency Contacts: In case of health or safety emergencies

6.2 We DO NOT:

• Sell personal information to third parties
• Share information for commercial marketing by others
• Disclose personal information without appropriate safeguards
• Use personal information for purposes incompatible with collection purposes

7. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and maintained on servers located outside your country. We ensure appropriate safeguards including:

• Adequate protection under applicable data protection laws
• Standard contractual clauses approved by relevant authorities
• Certification schemes and codes of conduct
• Regular assessment of security measures

8. Data Retention

We retain personal information for the following periods:

• Program Participants: During program participation + 7 years for alumni relations
• Job Applications: 2 years from application date (unless hired)
• Volunteer Applications: During volunteer period + 3 years for reference
• Partnership Information: During partnership + 5 years for compliance
• Contact Information: Until you request removal or opt out
• Legal Requirements: As required by applicable laws

9. Your Privacy Rights

How to Exercise Your Rights:

Contact us at admin@youthforpurpose.org with your request. We will respond within 30 days and may need to verify your identity.

10. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

10.1 Types of Cookies We Use:

• Essential Cookies: Required for website functionality and security
• Performance Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our site
• Functionality Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings
• Marketing Cookies: Used to deliver relevant advertisements (with consent)

10.2 Managing Cookies:

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling essential cookies may affect website functionality.

11. Data Security

We protect your information using appropriate technical and organizational measures:

• Encryption in transit and at rest
• Access controls and authentication
• Regular security assessments and updates
• Employee training on data protection
• Incident response and breach notification procedures
• Third-party security certifications

12. Children's Privacy

Our services are intended for individuals aged 16 and above. For participants under 18, we require parental consent for data processing. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately.

13. Updates to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices or applicable laws. We will notify you of material changes by:

• Email notification to registered users
• Prominent notice on our website
• Update notification in your account dashboard

14. Contact Information and Complaints

Contact Us:

Complaints:

If you have concerns about our data practices, you can file a complaint with:

• Our Data Protection Officer (contact details above)
• Namibian Information Regulator (when established)
• Your local data protection authority (for EU residents)
• Information Regulator of South Africa (for South African residents)