YEMCO’s project Youth and Leadership strongly aims to increase participation by young people in civic matters in their community as well as to promote and strengthen democratic processes and civic education through three key programmes:

1. Youth leadership program which incorporate leadership training and general election within the youth platform to portray democratic process in relation to general election.
2. Youth voice programme which incorporate dialogues, campaigns and youth TV talk show.
3. Last but not the least the youth right programme which incorporate drama on youth rights and link youth to access their rightfully youth development fund in each municipal in Dar es salaam

Additionally, Youth Empowerment and Mind-set Change Organisation aims to challenge the Status Quo to be more inclusive in relation to youth matters, hence through youth leadership programme, youth voice and youth rights program YEMCO contributes to challenging the status quo in a such a way that, by conducting this programmes hand in hand with decision-makers and other interested key stakeholders. This brings a much needed discussion on youth participation in political space and its importance through the involvement and contribution that they can make in their day to day life. The ultimate goal is to change the perception that community considers  youth to not be able to lead and always need guidance from an elderly

Over the 12-month project period, YEMCO successfully delivered its intended outcomes as planned, demonstrating impactful engagement with youth and strengthening its organizational capacity. 

This project marked YEMCO’s first donor-funded initiative, significantly enhancing the organization’s capacity. Key achievements include upskilling project team members, expanding networks through collaborations with media companies, government officials, and other organizations, and fostering a strong relationship with the donor organization. 

• Youth Leadership Awareness and Training: The project engaged 486 youth, raising their awareness about leadership and decision-making. Through strategic leadership training sessions, participants gained skills in presenting themselves as leaders and embracing core leadership values. A key outcome was the decision of 30 youth participants to join a youth forum and run for internal leadership positions. 
• Economic Empowerment Opportunities: YEMCO introduced 180 youth to economic opportunities, such as the Municipal Development Fund, and provided training on accessing these resources. Participants also gained knowledge in business development, including market research strategies. 
• Youth Networking and Collaboration: The project facilitated networking among 180 youth from various wards (e.g., Sinza, Mlalakua, Makaburini) through events attended by local government officials and sports representatives from the Ubungo Municipality. These events fostered peer learning and collaboration. 
• Formation of Youth VICOBA Groups: Three Village Community Banks (VICOBA) were established, each consisting of 10 youth. These financial platforms aim to support business startups and provide members with leadership and financial literacy training, enhancing economic empowerment among young participants. 

YEMCO identified a persistent challenge: systemic structures that discourage youth participation in leadership roles while favouring older candidates. However, progress has been noted compared to five years ago. Building on this foundation, YEMCO aims to scale the project to further empower youth by enhancing their skills and capacity for participation in decision-making at all levels. 

This project lays the groundwork for continued youth empowerment and community development, reflecting YEMCO’s commitment to fostering leadership and economic opportunities for young people.