By Kuda Pembere
Forty youth-led organizations from across Zimbabwe have been in Harare since Tuesday, participating in training on advocacy, governance, and monitoring and evaluation.
The training, organized by SAYWHAT, was initiated in response to the realization that many youth organizations were not reaching their full potential due to a lack of adequate skills.
Speaking at the closing ceremony on Friday, Mr. Osward Mudhunguyo, Director of Youth Empowerment in the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, said the training demonstrated a strong commitment to empowering youth to contribute meaningfully to national development.
The advocacy and governance training held this week at Monomotapa Hotel, which equipped youth organizations with knowledge and skills to advance health, education, and empowerment, represents a bold commitment to harnessing young people’s potential and shaping our nation’s development,” he said.
“I want to begin by extending my commendation to SAYWHAT, its partners, and everyone involved in organizing this transformative training. SAYWHAT exemplifies the power of youth-focused initiatives in addressing the multifaceted challenges facing young people today.”
He also praised the organizers for ensuring both rural and urban youth received training to navigate advocacy while incorporating governance principles into their operations.
“Last year, SAYWHAT partnered with the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training and the Zimbabwe Youth Council to map youth-led, community-based organizations under the Youth Collective Action for Social Transformation project. This initiative was designed to equip youth organizations across the country with the tools and capacity to advocate effectively for social transformation.
“Today, I’m thrilled to witness the fruition of this initiative, with representation from six provinces—Bulawayo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Manicaland, Mashonaland West, and Harare—encompassing both rural and urban youth. This diversity highlights the impact of inclusive efforts that leave no community or young person behind, aligning with the government’s vision of achieving an upper-middle-income nation by 2030,” Mudhunguyo said.
SAYWHAT Executive Director Jimmy Wilford said the 40 youth-led organizations were selected from 10 districts in six provinces and trained to enable their meaningful participation in national development dialogues.
“Basically, the goal has been to capacitate community-based, youth-focused organizations. We’ve brought in 40 youth organizations from six provinces, selecting 10 districts in total. The main idea is to equip young people so they can actively engage in national development discussions,” Wilford explained.
“Often, youth are invited to participate in public meetings hosted by parliamentarians or parliamentary committees, but they may lack the capacity to articulate their issues effectively. This training aimed to provide them with foundational knowledge in advocacy and governance. Strengthening their understanding of governance benefits their organizations by promoting sustainability and reinforcing their role in society.”
Wilford emphasized the importance of diversity in the selection process.
“We’ve ensured inclusivity by involving youth from various backgrounds. Many of these young people have had limited exposure to such training. With support from the European Union, we’re working to build their capacity so they can strengthen their advocacy efforts within their own communities,” he said.
Alfa Gwatidzo from Munondida Foundation said the training came at a crucial time, helping them overcome some of the challenges they face.
“Most of the time, when we apply for support or submit proposals, we don’t get feedback. This training has taught us how to navigate systems and build relationships with stakeholders,” he said.
Tapiwa Dzipasi from the Zimbabwe Youth for Impaired Persons Trust said they plan to implement the strategies and skills they learned.
