Introduction and Partnership Overview
With funding from the European Union and strategic support from UNICEF and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Skillshare Lesotho is implementing a transformative project code-named Youth Power Hub (YPH). This initiative targets the districts of Berea, Leribe, and Mokhotlong in Southern Lesotho.
This partnership builds upon a long-standing collaboration between UNICEF and Skillshare Lesotho, which has a proven track record of working with adolescents and young people in areas including Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), HIV & AIDS prevention, community mobilization, health services improvement through social accountability, and sports for development. Skillshare’s strengthened peer-to-peer education and citizen participation models have successfully established robust community structures that identify and support marginalized groups, ensuring no one is left behind.
Project Rationale and Overall Objective
Lesotho faces significant challenges with high youth unemployment, a curriculum often misaligned with labour market needs, and limited digital access, particularly for rural and marginalized youth. The Youth Power Hub is a direct response to these challenges, designed to empower young people as key players in governance and development
The main objective of the initiative is “to strengthen Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) as independent actors of governance and development in their own right.” This contributes to the broader goal of fostering an inclusive, participatory, empowered, and independent civil society that creates a democratic space in Lesotho for youth, including people with disabilities, adolescent girls, and young women (AGYW).
Target Beneficiaries
The project primarily focuses on youth aged 10-24 years, with a special emphasis on:
- Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW)
- Youth living with disabilities
- Young migrants and returned diaspora youth
- Rural youth, including herd boys
- Street youth
- Youth living with HIV/AIDS
The initiative aims to reach thousands of young people indirectly by strengthening the CSOs that serve them.
Expected Outcomes and Outputs
| Outcomes | Outputs |
| 1. A Youth Power Hub is created through the self-enrolment of CSOs working on youth, disability-inclusion, and gender equality. | 1.1 CSOs are sensitized and registered in the Youth Power Hub. 1.2 Registered CSOs’ capacity is assessed. |
| 2. CSOs capacity is strengthened to manage programmes that mainstream gender equality and disability inclusion. | 2.1 YPH Incubation Programme training packages are developed. 2.2 A Training of Trainers (TOT) package is developed. 2.3 A TOT is conducted for 20 selected individuals. 2.4 An Incubation Training Programme is conducted for 80 members from 11 CSOs. |
Implementation Approach
The Youth Power Hub will enhance the voice and agency of young people through a multi-faceted strategy:
- Capacity Strengthening: Enhancing the organizational and programming capacities of selected grassroots, youth-focused CSOs.
- Networking and Collaboration: Creating opportunities for young people to connect, collectively advocate, and share resources through an online platform and in-person fora like the Youth Dialogue and Networking Pitso 48.
- Policy Engagement: Empowering CSOs for robust engagement in policy, budget processes, and promoting transparency and accountability.
District-Focused Sensitization: Skillshare will conduct targeted sensitization campaigns in Berea, Leribe, and Mokhotlong to enroll CSOs in the incubation program. Campaigns will utilize radio, TV, social media (Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter), and official UNICEF/IOM websites.
Governance: A Steering Committee comprising the Department of Youth, EU, UNICEF, IOM, Skillshare Lesotho, and two CSO representatives will guide project implementation.
Capacity Development and Stakeholder Involvement
Skillshare Lesotho will lead the capacity development for smaller CSOs, informed by a initial capacity assessment. UNICEF and IOM will provide technical expertise, resources, and toolkits, including training on:
- Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)
- Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) for effective financial management.
Stakeholder Engagement: Skillshare will adopt a multi-level approach to build constituencies of support:
- National Level: Close collaboration with government departments (e.g., Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development), UN agencies, and other youth-led initiatives.
- District Level: Coordination with local CSOs, the District Administrator’s office, community councils, village chiefs, councilors, and sector ministries like Education, Health, and Tourism.
Key Partners
The project is implemented through a strategic consortium:
- Core Partners: European Union (Funder), UNICEF, IOM, Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development (Department of Youth)
- Implementing Civil Society Partners: Skillshare Lesotho, Democracy Works Foundation, and Development for Peace Education (DPE)
- Local Implementation Structures: District Administrator Offices, Community Councils, Village Chiefs, TVETs, and faith-based organizations.