The Network of Youth for Sustainable Initiative (NGYouthSDGs) is elated to announce the Launch of the ‘Elevating Youth Voices, Building Trust and Civic Cohesion’ project also known as the Civic Leadership Programme (CLiP) which kick-started in March 2024, with the aim of encouraging and empowering the next wave of young and representative decision-makers towards meaningful youth participation in local democracy.
The Elevating Youth Voices, Building Trust and Civic Cohesion project is funded by the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund(NYFF). NYFF is a fund implemented by LEAP Africa. This project aims to engage young people in Enugu East Senatorial District of Enugu State, Nigeria. It focuses on increasing youth participation in local democracy, enhancing civic education, and building trust between young citizens and their elected officials. With CLiP, NGYouthSDGs will be contributing to the meaningful participation of youth in local democracy by strengthening their strategic engagement with elected lawmakers from their senatorial district using a creative and participatory approach.
Ruth Ogwuche, the Project Manager for CLiP stated that the project implementation has been incredible so far, and the strategic training sessions with the shortlisted 5 Civic Champions have set the pace for further engagement with young people in Enugu East Senatorial District. Moving forward, a press conference and a 2-day residential training have been scheduled for the 21st and 22nd of August 2024. This will create an avenue to increase awareness about CLiP, facilitate engagement with lawmakers and provide local strategic actions to increase youth participation in local democracy across Enugu State.
“The CLiP project is a landmark opportunity for young leaders to gain the skills and insights needed to make a difference in their communities,” said Ruth Ogwuche, project manager CLiP, NGYouthSDGs. “We are committed to empowering these young changemakers and facilitating their active participation in shaping local governance.”
“LEAP Africa, through the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF), is proud to support the CLiP project, which aligns with our mission to foster leadership and inclusive governance,” said Maimuna Sani, Community and Youth Engagement Coordinator at LEAP Africa. “We believe this training will equip young leaders with the tools they need to drive positive change and contribute effectively to their communities.”
The Elevating Youth Voices, Building Trust and Civic Cohesion project which hinges on one of our focus areas- civic participation, expresses our interest in creating opportunities for young people to interact with decision-makers in their communities, states and the nation on the issues that matter most to young people, thereby building trust and distilling civic apathy.
