Empowering Rural Youth
The “From the Ground Up” (FTGU) initiative, is a comprehensive policy intervention aimed at empowering rural youth in Namibia, addressing the significant barriers they face in participating in decision-making processes and accessing opportunities for economic and social advancement. RuralRise is facilitating community dialogues and advocacy workshops in the Erongo region and capturing rural youth stories in a documentary in order to substantiate a policy brief addressed to the Ministry of Rural and Urban Development.
Rural youth participation in decision making processes is integral for inclusive rural development
KEY INFO
Namibia's population grew by 114% over the past 32 years, reaching 3.02 million in 2023.
The rural population slightly exceeds the urban population, with 1.53 million people residing in rural areas, underscoring the importance of rural development.
Namibia Statistics Agency (2024). Census Report. Retrieved from The Brief.
of Namibia’s population is under 35 years old.
71.1
OUR TARGET
46.1
of young Namibians (ages 15-34) unemployed.
Editor. (2024, March 14). The Brief
WHAT DO WE WANT?
We propose an implementation of ACTIVE rural youth participation in decision making platforms such as local government development committees and access to social advancement and entrepreneurship platforms.
WHY?
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Active youth participation and leadership can transform the socio-economic landscape of rural communities
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Rural youth need to play a vital role in policy making.
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Rural youth in Namibia face significant challenges that hinder their engagement in policy and development processes.
Our Community Liaison, Issaskar Tjandero, was interviewe on Good Morning Namibia tomorrow on 28 August 2024, he discussed our "From the Ground Up" project. Watch to learn more about this impactful initiative focused on empowering rural communities through sustainable development and local capacity building.
Core Arguments
Rural Youth Participation
rural young people in developing countries are among the least engaged in policy making. This disengagement is perpetuated by policy frameworks that often have an “urban bias,” neglecting the unique needs and vulnerabilities of rural youth. Additionally, an adult-centric approach dominates policymaking, viewing youth as passive recipients rather than active contributors to policy design and implementation.
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD, 2019
Education and Employment
Despite being a large demographic, Namibian youth are less engaged in political and civic activities compared to their elders. The Afrobarometer survey found that young people are less likely to vote, attend community meetings, or contact their leaders. Moreover, they are generally dissatisfied with the government's performance on issues they prioritize, such as job creation​
Afrobarometer (2021). Namibia Round 8 Summary of Results. Retrieved from Afrobarometer.
Civic Engagement
Namibian youth have higher education levels compared to older generations, with nearly 79% having secondary or post-secondary education. However, they also face significant unemployment challenges, with 44% of young Namibians actively seeking employment. Youth unemployment remains a major concern, with ongoing frustrations about limited job opportunities​
Mpako, A., & Ndoma, S. (2024, February 23). AD773: Namibian youth demand that government make job creation a top priority. Afrobarometer.
Our Efforts
We are facilitating community dialogues and advocacy workshops in three communities based in the Erongo region and capturing rural youth stories in a documentary in order to substantiate a policy brief
addressed to the Ministry of Rural and Urban Development, under the “From the Ground Up” (FTGU) initiative, which is a comprehensive policy intervention aimed at empowering rural youth in Namibia, addressing the significant barriers they face in participating in decision-making processes and accessing opportunities for economic and social advancement.
Disclaimer: This webpage was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of RuralRise Community Empowerment and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union
