Youth Connect for Sustainable Change
The Youth Connect for Sustainable Change project was implemented in the Wolayta and Gamo Zones of the South Ethiopia Region with financial support from the British Council. Its objective was to equip young people with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to actively participate in community development, strengthening youth leadership, civic engagement, and resilience through structured training and stakeholder engagement.
Through the program, 200 young people received training in social leadership, the Active Citizens model, resource and community mobilization, employability, irregular migration awareness, peacebuilding, and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS). The project fostered a generation of engaged and informed young people equipped to contribute meaningfully to peace, development, and community well-being in Wolayta and Gamo Zones.
Key Activities & Deliverables
Youth Capacity Building & Skill Development
- Targeted Leadership Training: Equipped 200 young people across the Wolayta and Gamo Zones with foundational skills in social leadership and the British Council's "Active Citizens" model.
- Employability & Resource Mobilisation: Trained youth participants in essential employability skills, community resource mobilization, and project planning.
Civic Engagement & Community Protection
- Peace & Mental Health Advocacy: Provided specialized training in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS).
- Migration Awareness: Raised critical awareness among participants regarding the risks and consequences of irregular migration to foster safer, more resilient community structures.
Social Cohesion & Community Resilience
- Reflect Groups: Established 17 Reflect groups with 395 active members engaging in weekly learning, community dialogue, savings, and income-generating activities.