AfriYAN Rwanda Pilots Innovative Community Youth Forum to Boost Youth Participation in Decision-Maki
In an effort to address the challenges surrounding youth participation in citizen's participation mechanisms, AfriYAN Rwanda has begun piloting an initiative known as the Community Youth Forum. This innovative approach, developed in collaboration with local youth in Karongi district, aims to enhance meaningful and inclusive youth involvement in decision-making processes at the community level.
The project, initiated in 2023 under the Generation Gender Programme in Rwanda, a partnership between AfriYAN Rwanda, RWAMREC, and HDI, was born out of a need to address the limited attendance and active participation of youth in community score card (CSC) meetings. These meetings, designed to assess and improve the implementation of the Generation Gender Programme, revealed a gap in youth engagement that required urgent attention.
Recognizing this challenge, AfriYAN Rwanda worked closely with existing youth structures at the community level, including the National Youth Council (NYC) and National Youth Volunteers, to conduct consultations with youth. The findings from these consultations highlighted the need for a dedicated space where young people could come together to discuss pressing issues in their communities and collaboratively find solutions.
The result of these consultations was the birth of the Community Youth Forum, a safe and inclusive space designed to empower youth to actively engage in decision-making processes. This model not only facilitates discussions on critical community matters but also offers opportunities for socio-economic empowerment through the formation of youth saving groups and group-based small businesses.
The Community Youth Forum is endorsed by local governance structures, ensuring its alignment with community needs and sustainability beyond the pilot phase. This grassroots approach seeks to bridge the gap between youth and decision-makers, fostering a sense of ownership and accountability among young people.
Speaking on the initiative, AfriYAN Rwanda emphasized the importance of investing in meaningful and inclusive youth participation from grassroots level. The network believes that empowering young people from the community level will contribute significantly to the overall development of the country while catalyzing sustainable progress.
As the pilot phase of the Community Youth Forum progresses, AfriYAN Rwanda intends to share the successful model with its member youth-led organizations. The goal is to replicate this innovative approach across the disticts of Rwanda, fostering a culture of active youth engagement in decision-making processes and contributing to the development of a more inclusive society.
Get involved
Join our vibrant network and become part of the youth movement that promotes sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender justice, and youth empowerment with and for Youth and Adolescents.