Resilience Through Our Eyes: Youth Document Urban Strength in Africa
Young storytellers from five African cities are bringing stories of resilience to life through photography. Following an intensive training in Nairobi, they are now embarking on a three-month mentorship journey, capturing how communities respond to urban risks and climate challenges.
The Resilience Through Our Eyes initiative offers a fresh perspective on urban resilience, grounded in the lived experiences of young people in African cities. Emerging photographers from Accra, Lusaka, Mwanza, Nairobi, and Windhoek have joined the initiative to document everyday stories of resilience within their communities. The activity is implemented by the German project , Resilience Initiative Africa (RIA), in close collaboration with its partners, Slum Dwellers International (SDI) and the African Union Commission’s Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy Directorate. Both partners are members of the selection committee and actively support the initiative, which contributes to the African Urban Resilience Programme.
The programme began with a three-day, hands-on training in photography and visual storytelling held in Nairobi. Participants received practical guidance on composition, ethics in community-based storytelling, interviewing techniques, and the use of visual narratives to highlight risk, vulnerability, and local adaptation efforts.
Following the training, participants are now embarking on a three-month mentorship and fieldwork phase. During this period, they will work closely with community groups, SDI affiliates, and local leaders to document how residents confront challenges such as flooding, informal settlement risks, mobility barriers, and climate change impacts, as well as how local innovation and solidarity drive resilience.
At the core of the initiative is a three-part methodology that combines capacity building, community-rooted storytelling, and the amplification of youth voices. This approach not only strengthens the skills of young storytellers but also places strong emphasis on civil society engagement and the inclusion of informal settlements, ensuring that the experiences of the most vulnerable communities are made visible and contribute to regional and global conversations. To amplify these voices further, a series of photo exhibitions is planned for 2026, beginning with a first showcase in Nairobi in March, followed by exhibitions in other cities.
By elevating lived experiences from informal settlements and rapidly growing urban areas, the initiative contributes to broader discussions on policy, planning, and disaster risk reduction.
