LocationsEnhancing capacity for youth friendly local governance
September 21, 2022
Youth Friendly Local Governance (YFLG) campaign in all seven provinces has been concluded ensuring youth’s participation and involvement in local governance system.
YFLG is a strategic framework that incorporates the concerns of youth in the local governance system to operate with the active participation, involvement, and cooperation of the youth.
The National Youth Council (NYC) had initiated YFLG campaign together with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), Jagriti Child and Youth Concern Nepal (JCYCN).
To ensure effective implementation of the YFLG, a capacity building training was conducted in selected local governments to over 300 stakeholders, including Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Chief Administrative Officers, section officers, youth from private sectors, conflict affected, gender and sexual minority groups and with disabilities.
These pilot trainings have kindled YFLG momentum in the selected local level, and the stakeholders have taken ownership and expressed commitment to contribute for the promotion of YFLG programme.
Speaking at the review, reflection, and way forward of the YFLG pilot programme conducted on 11 August 2022 commemorating the International Youth Day, 2022, the Vice-Chair of National Youth Council Mr. Surendra Basnet said that YFLG is highly relevant in today’s context for ensuring the meaningful engagement of youth in the policy making process.
Similarly, UNDP Resident Representative, Ayshanie Medagangoda Labe emphasized the need to promote youth-friendly local governance by strengthening behavior, intergenerational solidarity, unity, and interaction and expressed commitment for promotion of YFLG on behalf of UNDP.
Usha Mishra, Deputy Representative of UNICEF, said that large investment in youth and children at the present time is essential to balance the increased number of senior citizens in the near future. Mr. Tilottam Paudel, president of JCYCN and executive member of NYC said that as the lead implementer of YFLG campaign on behalf of CSOs, JCYCN is committed to seek further resource and continue the YFLG campaign as a sustainable approach to ensuring youth’s rights.
"Continuation of YFLG movement and expanding it to each local government is crucial for holistic development of youth across the nation. Let's make this campaign a nation wide so that the local government is obliged to incorporate this in their annual workplan", says Ms. Rejina Gharti Magar, one of the youth participants of YFLG pilot programme.