In a context where almost half of the Senegalese population is under 18, young people, women and men are increasingly mobilised around climate, environmental and civic issues. This context chimes with the growing evolution of young people’s use of new information technologies. The JAP’CI project is focusing on these dynamics, and addressing several challenges with young people in the suburbs of Dakar. The project is part of the JADE programme. It aims notably to encourage judicious use of ICTs, favour active involvement by young people in civic actions, and promote their skills within decision-making bodies where they are too often under-represented. This project follows on from the Young citizen reporters project.
With this in mind, the project teams aim to support young people in becoming agents of change. The goal is to help them realize their ability to act and the positive impact they can have in their communities. In doing this, young people will be better prepared to take control over their future and play an active role in the construction of an inclusive and sustainable future.
To achieve these objectives, the project is being rolled out via two components.
This component aims to support youth associations in the suburbs of Dakar by improving their model of governance and their capacity to take account of major issues that affect citizens, such as the environment, leadership, gender and effective participation in the wellbeing of communities.
With technical support from GRET, the Social Change Factory (SCF) association will develop a training course that will be complemented by coaching sessions to ensure efficient support of the 15 organisations selected over the long term. This will equip the latter with the skills and tools necessary to become key actors of change in their communities.
The project also intends to train young women and men to be citizen reporters in new media. The Y’en a Marre association will develop a training course to enable 15 young citizen reporters to present web radio shows and produce podcasts, in which they will discuss social, environmental and civic issues on accessible, innovative digital platforms.
These two components are complementary and will contribute to boosting young people’s involvement in civic issues, while providing them with modern, effective means of expression.
Since 2020, GRET and its partners have been exploring new ways to support young people through the JADE programme (Young people as stakeholders in the future). This initiative aims to promote a comprehensive approach encompassing the economic, professional, social, civic, environmental and climate aspects of youth integration. The idea is to strengthen young people’s power to take action, both individually and collectively, so that they can become stakeholders in their own development and that of their communities.
JADE benefits from the support of Agence française de développement and is being rolled out in 9 countries: Cambodia, Congo, Guinea, Haiti, Madagascar, Mauritania, Myanmar, Senegal and Vietnam.
