CONCERNS
Civic engagement is a process where individuals or groups work together to identify and address issues of public concern and improve the quality of life in their community. It is perceived as a strong driving force for community, national, and global development as it enables citizens to unleash their potential and contribute to the development of their societies. Yet despite this enormous potential, the quality of civic engagement remains low among many communities due to a lack of civic knowledge, skills, and commitment among citizens. This is worsened by ever-dwindling safe spaces for meaningful civic participation.
SOLUTIONS
Strengthening friendship and engagement between youth and duty bearers, strengthening the capacity of youth and women groups to engage with government structures and processes, strengthening structures for youth representation and association, and building the self-efficacy of marginalized and under-represented groups to participate in politics and partake in national development. Other endeavors so far have also focussed on strengthening the capacity of government leaders and duty-bearers to engage with young people, women, and other vulnerable groups.
OUR GOALS
To empower communities, especially those on the margins with civic skills that inspire civic commitment and meaningful participation in public life.
To catalyze inclusive community development through supporting innovative local action and solutions to build better communities.
To take action to prevent and respond to conflict and the potential for violence in the context of elections.
To mobilize and foster multi-stakeholder alliances involving the private sector, local government, professional societies, academia, and rising civic leaders to tackle the biggest challenges facing communities, and the world.
To support the establishment and preservation of safe spaces for meaningful civic participation.
To strengthen systems and operational frameworks of grassroots associations, and organizations, as well as local government structures to improve their performance and ability to produce locally valued and sustainable development outcomes.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
480 youth leaders equipped in gender-sensitive civic leadership.
1310 youth and duty bearers engaged in trust-building sessions aimed at enhancing engagement between the two parties and accelerating youth participation in decision-making processes.
220 women and youth from marginalized and excluded communities equipped on civic rights, duties, and responsibilities, local and national governance processes, as well as effective strategies for civic action.
Youth networks mapped and supported to foster youth social, economic, and political participation and policy advocacy at the community level.
Tailored Leadership & mentorship camps organized that equipped 180 aspiring women leaders, refugee youth, and Muslim youth to join political leadership and partake in national development.
80 local government leaders and duty bearers equipped with knowledge, skills, and strategies in engaging youth in decision-making processes.
Live radio debates organized through a youth parliament model to discuss key youth concerns with policymakers and local authorities. Consequently, a youth policy paper was developed and published among government leaders for action.
Over 1200 Youth leaders, Youth associations, and duty bearers engaged in friendly sports events aimed at forging new inter-generational friendships and cooperation.