Grassroots organisations lead the planned work
The 2024–2029 programme aimed to reach 69,000 young people and strengthen 27 youth-focused civil-society organisations. Its design combined organisational training, networking and later project funding. UNICEF representative Deepak Bhaskaran emphasised giving young people skills to influence decisions affecting their lives and communities.
Participation extends to budgets and local services
The hub’s programme set out work across all ten districts, with both in-person and online participation. Selected organisations were to receive support in advocacy, project management, gender analysis and disability inclusion. The proposed activities included engagement with local planning, budgeting and monitoring of public services. [2]
Young participants turn discussion into policy messages
A November 2024 policy brief drew on contributions from more than 100 young people at the launch and consultations across the country in October. It presented six messages to government on youth participation in governance, development and budgeting. The document gave participants’ proposals a form that public authorities could use in later decisions. [3]