Promoting social participation among young people

Context

Since the political upheavals of 2011, Libya has been a fragile state gripped by a humanitarian crisis. Violent conflicts, a poor economic situation and weak governmental institutions are having a negative effect on people’s living conditions.

More than half of the population is less than 30 years old. Despite this, young people are particularly excluded from social and political participation. Governmental institutions do not take sufficient account of their needs and points of view. State and civil society structures for supporting young people are virtually non-existent. Municipalities lack the capacities needed to integrate young people into decision-making processes and to find constructive, peaceful solutions to conflicts. At the same time, many young people are demonstrating their motivation to participate in reconstructing society

Objective

The opportunities for youth multipliers and local administrations to promote the social and political participation of young people are strengthened. The participation of young people is improved. 

Approach

The project trains youth multipliers in peaceful conflict resolution, political participation and methods of youth work. It supports the multipliers in implementing training courses and peacebuilding measures themselves. To this end, the project is cooperating with Moomken, a Libyan youth organisation.

Working in conjunction with the youth multipliers, the project identifies safe places that are suitable for setting up youth centres. The project supports these youth centres in terms of equipment and advises them on developing sustainable, gender-sensitive use strategies.

The project runs further training courses on youth development and participation methods for representatives of the partner municipalities and follows up by promoting dialogue forums between participants and local youth representatives. The aim here is to draw the attention of municipal policy-makers to issues relevant to young people.

Last update: November 2021