The Challenge:

Imagine the Central Highlands of Yemen, where ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises have silenced many, especially the youth. In this setting, young voices often go unheard, their potential to influence community recovery and policy-making overlooked amidst the chaos of survival. Click here to verify

"The future seemed stolen from us, and our voices lost in the echoes of conflict," - Tariq (a local student)

The Solution:

Amidst this bleak scenario, Leyla, a determined humanitarian worker, discovered Gaza999’s initiative to create Youth Advisory Councils. This program aimed to give young individuals a formal platform to express their views and actively participate in rebuilding their community.

"Finding Gaza999's framework was like finding a beacon of hope; it was a chance to reclaim our future," - Leyla (Humanitarian Worker)

The Implementation:

With Leyla at the helm, the journey began by canvassing the local schools and community centers to identify young, enthusiastic potential leaders from various backgrounds, ensuring the council was as diverse as the community itself. Leyla coordinated with local educators and youth leaders to set up workshops that trained the selected members in leadership, civic engagement, and effective communication.
Regular council meetings were held bi-weekly, where Leyla facilitated discussions on pressing local issues such as education reform, healthcare accessibility, and youth unemployment. These meetings were structured to not only debate solutions but to plan their implementation rigorously.

Leyla introduced advanced feedback mechanisms, employing digital tools provided by Gaza999, to collect and analyze council suggestions. These insights were then formatted into professional proposals and presented to local authorities and community leaders for approval and integration into ongoing projects.

"The process of seeing our discussions and ideas turn into official documents and then into actions was incredibly empowering," - Yasmin (Council Member)

The Impact:

Under Leyla’s leadership, the Youth Advisory Councils quickly became a significant force in the Central Highlands, directly contributing to over 50 council-driven projects within the first year. These projects, ranging from the establishment of community clinics to the creation of youth job fairs, had profound impacts on both local governance and the community’s wellbeing.

"The council has not only given us a voice but has also taught us how powerful our ideas and initiatives can be in shaping our community," - Hani (a council member)

Lessons Learned:

• Inclusive Representation: Ensuring a diverse and representative council was crucial in addressing the wide range of community needs and perspectives.

• Structured Feedback Integration: Establishing a robust process to integrate council feedback into local governance empowered the youth and ensured their contributions were actionable.

• Empowerment through Responsibility: Providing council members with real responsibilities fostered a sense of ownership and commitment to their community’s development.