Our Interest First Phase II project aims at empowering youth by building and strengthening skills, confidence and ability of both young women and men to hold the 2020 elected decision and policy makers accountable. Majority of these leaders have been promising youth during the campaign rally that they will be committed to support youth initiatives and implement youth agenda as per national development plan. Thus, now since they are elected it will be a good opportunity for youth to hold them to their commitment and accountable.

The grant applied to ICCAO will support the implementation of Our Interest First Phase II project. This project among other things will support the organisation to:

i. Building youth confidence: ICCAO aims to empower youth to be and remain confident in a way which increases their skills, knowledge and confidence, and instills a belief that they can make a difference;

ii. Being inclusive: ICCAO aims to empower youth to be inclusive in a way which youth recognizes that discrimination exists, promotes equality of opportunity and good relations between youth groups, decision-makers and challenges inequality and exclusion; and

iii. Being organised: ICCAO aims to empower youth to be organised in a way which youth can bring fellow youth together around common issues and concerns in organizations and groups that are open, democratic and accountable.

Our mission with our project, “Our Interest First Project – Phase II,” is to give young people more agency so they can make a difference where they live. Our goal was to provide a space where young people could have their voices heard and help bring about positive change by concentrating on skills development, leadership training, and encouraging communication between youth groups and government officials but also provide them with seed capital. As the first donor (Voice) to ICCAO through an empowerment grant in 2019, ICCAO began its first project “Our Interest First Project”  Phase 1 during Tanzania’s national elections in 2019. During the first phase, ICCAO built its capacity. With the support of the linking and learning initiatives, ICCAO was able to secure funding from various donors, including the Malala Fund, IGOT, and the TEMNET Network, among others.

The project implementation began with a thorough assessment of the needs and aspirations of Tanzania’s youth, conducted through baseline surveys and consultations with community stakeholders. Armed with insights into the challenges facing young people, the project team developed a comprehensive strategy centered on three key pillars: capacity building, advocacy, and economic empowerment.

Capacity-building initiatives were launched to equip youth group leaders with the skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively and inspire their peers. Through workshops, seminars, and mentorship programs, participants gained valuable insights into leadership, communication, and project management, empowering them to drive change within their communities. Simultaneously, the project facilitated dialogue sessions between youth groups and government officials, creating a platform for constructive engagement and advocacy. These dialogues, held under the banner of “Jukwaa la Vijana na Sheria” (Youth and Law Forum), provided youth with the opportunity to articulate their concerns, advocate for their rights, and collaborate with decision-makers to address pressing issues. As the project progressed, success stories emerged from youth groups across Tanzania, illustrating the transformative power of empowerment and collaboration. From initiatives promoting environmental conservation to youth-led entrepreneurship ventures, these stories highlighted the resilience, creativity, and determination of Tanzania’s youth in driving positive change

The project implementation unfolded through a series of strategic activities designed to equip youth group leaders with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to drive sustainable change.

• Activity 1: ICCAO prioritized building organizational capacity by supporting project staff to undergo training on accountability and capacity development. Additionally, efforts were made to improve organizational systems, including financial and monitoring & evaluation systems.
• Activity 2: A comprehensive Youth Soft Skills, Knowledge, and Ability (YSSKA) assessment study was conducted to identify the specific needs and challenges facing Tanzania’s youth.
• Activity 3: Thirty youth group leaders underwent a rigorous three-day training program on soft and entrepreneurship skills, guided by the findings of the YSSKA study. The training, targeting 20 young females and 10 young males, aimed to empower participants to become trainers of trainers (TOT) within their respective groups, forums, and networks.
• Activity 4: Following the training, the 30 leaders (TOT) were tasked with passing on the acquired skills, knowledge, and lessons learned to five members of their respective groups. Each leader organized two-day training sessions within their office spaces to facilitate knowledge transfer.
• Activity 5: A series of accountability and commitment webinars were organized, bringing together the 30 trained groups and decision-makers to engage in Q&A sessions. These sessions served as a platform for holding decision-makers accountable and fostering dialogue between youth groups and stakeholders.
• Activity 6: The dialogue discussions from the webinars were documented and published, highlighting the accountability and commitment demonstrated by both youth groups and decision-makers. This dissemination aimed to amplify the voices of youth and showcase their active engagement in governance and development processes.
• Activity 7: To further support the youth groups, ICCAO provided financial assistance to kickstart or scale up their business ventures. This support aimed to translate the acquired skills and knowledge into tangible economic opportunities for youth entrepreneurs.

One of the most significant outcomes of the project was the economic empowerment of youth groups, as evidenced by the success of initiatives like the waste management entrepreneurship venture led by the Urithi wa Bahari Group (Heritage of Sea Group). By leveraging their newfound skills and knowledge, these youth entrepreneurs not only created sustainable livelihoods for themselves but also contributed to environmental conservation efforts in their communities.

As the “Our Interest Phase II” project comes to a close, we reflect with pride on the journey we have undertaken and the impact we have achieved. Through dedication, collaboration, and a shared vision for change, we have empowered Tanzania’s youth to become leaders, innovators, and advocates for a brighter future. As we look ahead, we remain committed to nurturing the potential of young people and driving sustainable change in communities across Tanzania. Together, we can continue to build a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous society, where the voices of youth are heard and valued.

More stories: See link below:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wq4p3c2EDo

https://fb.watch/fg8M-0-e5r/

https://fb.watch/fg8GsioFCA/

https://fb.watch/fg8InRZ9Qu/