Call for participation in Great Lakes Youth Network for dialogue and peace. Our Diversity – our Opportunity!
Are you a member of or actively engaged in the leadership of a youth group/initiative dedicated to peace, exchange, and a strong voice of the youth in the Great Lakes Region? Now is the opportunity to be part of the new project “Great Lakes Youth Network for Dialogue and Peace. Our Diversity – our Opportunity! “
Who are we:
We are a consortium of 6 non-governmental organizations: Konrad Adenauer Foundation (Germany), Pole Institute (DRC), Vision Jeunesse Nouvelle (Rwanda), Cornerstone Development Africa & LéO Africa Institute (Uganda), and Actions for Democracy and Local Governance (Tanzania). Together, we implement the project “Great Lakes Youth Network for Dialogue and Peace. Our Diversity – our Opportunity!” co-funded by the European Union (EU) and the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
What is this project about:
Many youths in the region are taking action and are part of the solutions that the Great Lakes Region needs. They actively engage in various fields that contribute to peace. However, the challenges they face are many and prevent them from being more impactful and making their voices heard. This project seeks to build on this momentum through dialogue and opportunities of exchange for youth organizations and other key actors. The project will be a crossroads between youth groups and local, national, and international stakeholders in politics, the private sector, civil society, NGOs, academia, and the media.
By promoting the active, cooperative, sustainable and positive role of youth actions, creating a strong network between them, and bringing all stakeholders on board, this project aims to contribute to peace and stability in the Great Lakes Region
Why should you apply:
Over a project duration of three years, we offer you a unique opportunity to, firstly, strengthen your organization’s internal capacities in areas most relevant to your work: effective communication, advocacy, resource mobilization, organization structuring, etc., through high-quality training workshops, including a training of trainers component. The project also offers a sub-granting scheme and a mentoring programme for the best project ideas to be supported. Secondly, you will be enabled to build a network with other youth organizations in your country and in the region through frequent exchanges, cross-border discussions, and three regional summer schools. Thirdly, we will offer you access to a strong national and regional network of stakeholders to encourage exchanges and possible cooperation in the future
Who do we look for:
We are looking for local youth groups and initiatives that are committed to peace in the Great Lakes Region and are active in one or more of the following fields: gender equality, environment (including natural resources) and climate change, political representation, democracy, and good governance, land, and inheritance, economic stability and employment, media, education, culture and religion, and forced migration
To find out about all specific eligibility criteria, please read the following sections.
Who is eligible:
1. Youth-led, youth-serving, and youth-focused initiatives/organizations, active in the following target regions/provinces of the project countries – DRC (North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri, Tanganyika), Rwanda (from the whole country), Uganda (Western Region, Central Region) and Tanzania (Kigoma, Kagera, Geita and Mwanza provinces)
2. Groups/Initiatives that contribute to strengthening the youth in conflict resolution and peacebuilding processes, decision-making, dialogue and exchange, civic engagement, and development activities
3. Groups/Initiatives that have been existing for at least two years and members are between 18-35 years old
4. Groups/Initiatives that are ready and interested to network with other youth groups in the Great Lakes Region
5. Groups/Initiatives that are recognized by their respective local government authorities
6. Organizations or initiatives that have gender balance reflected in their staff, members, beneficiaries, and activities
Interested? Then submit your application documents:
1. A letter of motivation (3 pages) in which you present your organization (field of activity, size, structure), the reasons why we should choose your organization to participate in the project, and what you think how your organization can benefit from participation in the project. Present CVs of two of your organization members who want to participate in project activities on behalf of your organization, at least one of them must be female.
2. Evidence of commitment to youth development agenda /actions through past work during the last two years; you can submit pictures, links to YouTube videos, website articles, etc.
3. Filled-out questionnaire attached to this call.
Please submit your application as a pdf file that does not exceed 7 MB in one single e-mail and send it to the following e-mail address: application@greatlakesyouth.africa