6 WAYS U.N. HABITAT IS EMPOWERING YOUTH TO TRANSFORM THEIR COMMUNITIES

Through the Urban Youth Fund, UN-Habitat has partnered with the Indian Youth Climate Network to launch a waste management project in New Delhi, India. Through a decentralized urban waste management system, local youth were able to convert more than 800 kilos of organic waste into compost that was later used to produce food, creating value for communities in the urban city.

UN-Habitat recognizes the crucial role young people must play in decision-making at all levels. Responding to the pressure from youth groups and member states, UN-Habitat launched in 2011 the Youth 21 initiative, which is exploring ways to strengthen youth engagement in governance at local, national and global levels.

UN-Habitat works together with civil society partners and government to develop holistic programmes that provide vocational training to young men and women. Through a partnership with Sadguru Sadafaldeo Vihangam Yoga Sansthan UN-Habitat has developed the YouthVAL – Youth Values Leadership Programme which provides ICT and vocational training to young people from rural and urban areas.

UN-Habitat partners with local authorities to establish One Stop Centers and offer an opportunity for young people to learn skills and develop their capacity. The Kimisigara Youth Centre in Kigali, Rwanda supports young men and women through vocational training as well as offering a safe recreational space and health services.

Through it’s Urban Youth Fund, UN-Habitat provides social entrepreneurship training to youth groups like the Mathare Youth and Theatre Organization (MYTO) based in the Mathare slum in Nairobi, Kenya to help them to start their own social enterprises. Currently UN-Habitat is working to establish a computer lab in Mathare and expand the trainings to include ICT skills.

UN-HABITAT works with local authorities in post-conflict countries to implement resource centres for young people. In Uganda, the One Stop Youth Resource Centre in Arua seeks to empower vulnerable urban youth in order to strengthen stability and peace. The Centre provides training on practical entrepreneurship skills for income generating, as well as capacity in building and construction skills.

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