Introduction
Youth and Beyond Youth is a project designed to empower youth organizations and the Kenyan citizenry to have a voice and constructively engage in development processes.
Project Objective
The project targets youth and people living with disabilities to form vibrant movements that enable active contribution and participation in development processes. This is to enhance good governance, democratic transformation, transparency, and accountability. The project has established 12 working groups in Kenya within the 12 counties of operation: Mombasa, Nairobi, Kisumu, Siaya, Kakamega, Uasin Gishu, Kiambu, Machakos, Kajiado, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, and West Pokot. The groups serve as platforms for advocacy, with each county having their own set of challenges facing youth
Project Outcomes
1. Increased knowledge on result based management:
The capacity building of staff and member organizations on Result-Based Management (RBM) exposed them to strategic planning, project management, and resource mobilization, among other key topics that were covered. They were able to identify areas for improvement, especially during project design. YAK also strengthened the member organizations’ capacity to adhere to the national act on regulation of civil societies working in Kenya through capacity training on the Public Benefits Organization (PBO Act 2013). This enabled them to reflect and come up with better ways of ensuring they maximized every opportunity.
2. Strengthened organizational structure and cohesion:
YAK staff, board of management, and member organizations participated in the review of the organizational policies on resource mobilization and communications. They also participated in the development of the Strategic Plan (2020-2024). This was to contribute to maintaining the organization’s fit between its interventions and the emerging needs and priorities of young people in Kenya.
3. Increased youth participation in decision-making processes:
The participation of the member organizations in advocacy and county budgeting processes improved the relationship between the county governments and the member organizations, which provided oversight and monitoring of service delivery to the citizens. It also entrenched the ownership of youth-led issues and created meaningful youth engagement with both the national and county governments.
