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Project

Strengthening constructive and active youth engagement in civic processes in Zimbabwe
 

Zimbabwe
Project ID
108753
Total Funding
CAD 409,300.00
IDRC Officer
Martha Mutisi
Project Status
Completed
End Date
Duration
36 months

Programs and partnerships

Governance and Justice

Lead institution(s)

Project leader:
Rosewita Katsande
Zimbabwe

Summary

Zimbabwe, once a vibrant and dynamic society, has undergone various socio-economic challenges over the past two decades, with huge impacts on its population and especially on youths.Read more

Zimbabwe, once a vibrant and dynamic society, has undergone various socio-economic challenges over the past two decades, with huge impacts on its population and especially on youths. Young people constitute over 60% of the population in Zimbabwe and are affected by an 80% unemployment rate (UNDP, 2016). Despite the existence of progressive policies and laws, which present opportunities for youth to contribute towards democratic processes, there is limited participation of young people in national and local decision-making processes. Currently, active youth engagement is mainly at the symbolic level, and in some cases young people are used by political and economic elites as vehicles of violence. Limited participation of young people in policy, civic and democratic processes, coupled with their exclusion from decision making positions negatively impacts their capacity to constructively engage with policy makers and government decision makers about everyday socio-economic needs, leading to spates of youth protests and violence.

The research will be conducted in two provinces in Zimbabwe, (Masvingo and Mashonaland West) and will examine how active youth engagement and participation in civil and policy processes could contribute to strengthening governance and promoting inclusive and peaceful development processes. The project will identify potential mechanisms through which government actors can tap into the expertise and experiences of youths for more constructive and inclusive civic and policy processes. Recommendations from the project will target local and national policy makers (and to an extent global actors) on what strategies work to effectively create spaces for youth to participate in civil and policy processes. They will also be used to strengthen the implementation of existing policies that seek to promote young people’s engagement in policy, civic and democratic processes. The capacity building component will strengthen young people’s capacity to effectively interface with decision makers and resist adversity and violence.

This project comprises of action research, capacity building and advocacy and will be implemented by the Youth Empowerment and Transformation Trust (YETT). YETT is a civil society organization based in Zimbabwe, whose mandate is to strengthen and support a more active and meaningful youth participation in civic and, democratic, socio-economic and political processes at the local and national level.

Research outputs

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Brief
Language:

English

Summary

This policy brief suggests key policy strategies towards youth engagement and empowerment. The Youth Empowerment and Transformation Trust (YETT) in partnership with 42 youth community-based organizations (CBOs) from across the country, submitted the policy brief in order to secure the rights and aspirations of youth in Zimbabwe, and to contribute recommendations to the ongoing process and review of a National Youth Policy. The organization’s Youth Situational Analysis (2019) comprehensively reviewed critical challenges of Zimbabwean youth.

Author(s)
YETT
Study
Language:

English

Summary

In terms of their individual and collective aspirations, youths in Zimbabwe require access to employment opportunities, access to loans, support towards skills training and mentorship along with a stable macroeconomic environment. This detailed report provides an in-depth look at conditions and experiences of Zimbabwean youth in terms of economic growth, citizen participation, ICT/Internet access, migration and health. In Zimbabwe, youths constitute the majority of the country’s population and most are confronting individual and collective challenges that exclude them from the political and economic spheres.

Author(s)
YETT
Brief
Language:

English

Summary

The brief provides recommendations on methods to counter the distortion of policy priorities induced by political corruption. Zimbabwe is ranked 157 out of 180 countries according to the 2017 Corruption Perception Index (CPSI). This policy brief defines corruption as the abuse of public office for private gain and extends the definition to include “grand corruption” or widespread political corruption. It specifically outlines how corruption causes social harm; the relationship between corruption and economic rights; the shrinking space of civil society organizations (CSOs) and the persecution of activists; and how corruption undermines public confidence and institutions.

Author(s)
Muyambwa, Darlington F.
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