Youth And Good Governance
This is a strategic pillar that focuses on promoting the active participation and meaningful involvement of young people in the governance processes of their communities and nations. This program aims to empower youth to become active citizens, decision-makers, and leaders, driving positive change and contributing to the development of inclusive and accountable governance systems.
The initiatives that we have carried out under Youth and Good Governance pillar have been;
The Mashariki Youth Campaign
The Mashariki Youth Campaign project, which we implemented, aimed to promote youth engagement for sustainable East African Community (EAC) integration. The project sought to enhance the role of the youth in the region, accelerate the integration process, and influence policy formation. Additionally, it aimed to strengthen regional youth structures within the EAC.
The EAC Women, Peace and Security project sought to strengthen the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325. The project was based on UNSCR 1325, which called for women's equal participation with men and their full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security.
The EAC Women, Peace and Security project
The East African Youth Human Rights and Democracy (EAYHRD) Project
AYT enhanced youth participation in promoting democracy and human rights in the East African Community. Through this project, we advocated for youth-centered laws and policies, promoting rights such as freedom of expression, association, and information. AYT successfully championed human rights, democracy, and affirmative action.
The East Africa Youth Network is a forum that aims to facilitate holistic youth involvement by advocating for the firm entrenchment of youth issues in the agenda of the East African Community. AYT serves as the convener of East African Civil Society organizations under the umbrella of EAYN. The Network is constituted of youth-serving civil society organizations as well as National Youth Councils in the East African Community.
The East Africa Youth Network (EAYN)
Parliamentary Support Programme
Our parliamentary support programme provides Kenyan youth with a mechanism to directly engage Kenya’s National Assembly in the law making process through the relevant parliamentary departmental committees and the Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association (KYPA).
The Civic Education Program (CEP) seeks to create civic awareness and mobilization of the youth around pertinent issues in regards to governance and civic importance. AYT has been able to conduct civic education on; Election processes, the 2010 Constitution of Kenya and the new voters campaign under #myfirstvote
Civic Education Program
Youth Action Against Corruption Project (YAAC)
The Youth Action Against Corruption project was designed to promote the role of youth in the fight against corruption through meaningful involvement in advocacy and championing for effective service delivery and institutional reforms. With initial support from USAID through Pact Kenya, the program built the capacity of youth to engage in the fight against corruption by publishing a Guide to Youth Action Against Corruption.
AYT, through the Youth Action on State Accountability Project (YASAP), worked with youth networks, line ministries responsible for IGAD affairs, and key duty bearers to champion the creation of safe spaces for young people to engage with regional mechanisms such as AU, EAC, and IGAD. Due to the shrinking space of CSOs in Africa, particularly in the Horn of Africa, to meaningfully participate in advocacy and policy decisions on the rights of children and youth, AYT partnered with Save the Children International's Eastern & Southern Africa office to contribute to the realization of children and youth's rights.
Youth Action on State Accountability (YASAP) project
Youth Action for Development Effectiveness (YADE) project
AYT worked towards democratizing Development Effectiveness, which involved a shift in global thinking towards quantified and enhanced results of funding for development. Building upon Aid Effectiveness, which focused on how aid for development is utilized to achieve economic and social development targets, Development Effectiveness relied on various actors from both donor and developing country communities to ensure that development effectiveness resulted in tangible and sustainable changes in people's lives.
Current Active Projects
Development Effectiveness
The Development Effectiveness (DE) program aims to create sustainable change and address poverty, inequality, marginalization, and injustice among poor and marginalized populations, including children. By empowering youth and children through civil society organizations, the program influences political, socio-economic, and cultural processes in East and Southern Africa. It focuses on policy engagement, transparency, accountability, and partnership development, collaborating with governments and organizations to enhance development effectiveness. The program strengthens capacity and knowledge-sharing, working with regional networks and partners to fulfill children’s and young people’s rights and promote a vibrant and inclusive civil society in the region.