LEAF International envisions a world where communities actively engage their youth in learning cultural traditions while empowering them with the life skills to be active agents of change. We believe in the power of music, art, and culture to transform lives—benefits both tangible and intangible.

LEAF International believes participatory, endogenous development is essential. All programs are carried out in partnership with existing local organizations to set up traditional music and dance programs. Leaf acts as a catalyst, but programs remain community-owned and community-led, generating organic empowerment and a positive feedback loop of inspiration, participation, innovation, and accountability.

Endogenous development means grounding programs in local peoples' own understanding of change and vision of holistic well-being, then matching that with a dynamic interface with external actors. The goal is to move beyond Western bias, making local world views and livelihood strategies the starting point for development while promoting the interface between tradition and modernity.

LEAF utilizes the Culture for Development Indicators (CDIS) as a framework for program development, evaluation, and monitoring. Aligning with the UN System Task Team for the post-2015 UN Development Agenda, we affirm that cultural expression fosters social inclusiveness, rootedness, resilience, innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship.

The CDIS identifies seven key dimensions and 22 indicators addressing the interrelations between culture and development. Leaf aligns with five guiding forces—Economy, Education, Social Participation, Communication, and Heritage—to design and evaluate programs. Within these, 9 indicators directly measure how our programs enrich lives, strengthen communities, and preserve cultural expression.