The CEPPS Youth Democracy, Human Rights and Governance Cross-Sectoral Initiative (Youth DRG CSI) is a multi-phased program exploring and uncovering promising practices that advance the political participation, representation, power, and leadership of young people in decision-making positions and processes. Starting in 2020, the initial phase of the project was a virtual discussion and knowledge-sharing forum dedicated to helping practitioners, donors, and young leaders across sectors explore the challenges and opportunities impacting cross-sectoral leadership and participation. The current phase of the initiative aims to better equip young leaders and practitioners with tools to implement programming that leverages young people’s assets and leadership across sectors to foster sustained and inclusive democratic outcomes.
Read the Cross Sectoral Initiative One-Pager!
Young people’s participation in public life is largely driven by specific issues or interests. This requires working across development sectors to better engage young people on issues they care about, while also connecting them to spaces for decision-making and political participation. Research suggests that young people prefer more informal, grassroots forms of participation. However, if young people only engage with democracy through informal avenues, they will continue to be left out of critical decision-making processes, resulting in policies and practices that do not meaningfully represent them. That is why it is important to coordinate resources, networks, and expertise across sectors to address the complex development challenges young people face and amplify their leadership and representation.
In response to the current trends in youth participation and development, the Youth DRG CSI:
Find more information on the monthly briefs here.
Final Phase 1 CEPPS DRG CSI Report
Over the course of phase 1 of the initiative, CEPPS identified four key cross-sectoral challenges, including:
Recognizing these cross-sectoral challenges, CEPPS identified the following seven key recommendations to support the implementation of cross-sectoral youth programs.
CEPPS has continued to build upon these lessons and recommendations in subsequent phases of the initiative to develop resources and continue discussions that support youth-focused cross-sectoral programs.
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