Capacity Building in Youth and Peacebuilding

The overarching goal was to facilitate social-reintegration of verified minors and late recruits, including self/informally released CAAFAG, in their community and to enhance their participation in the peace process as agents of change at the local level.

The specific objectives of this project were:

To develop resource materials for the capacity building of implementing partners and youth to carry out social reintegration and youth peacebuilding activities;

To build the capacity of UNICEF implementing partners to incorporate youth and peacebuilding into their overall programs; and

To support youth groups in carrying out local-level peacebuilding initiatives.

During the project period, 42 implementing partner organizations in 52 districts were trained in youth and peacebuilding models and dialogue facilitation skills. In addition, youth clubs from those districts were equipped with leadership and peacebuilding skills supplemented by mentoring and coaching by SFCG staff. VMLRs who are receiving vocational training in 21 training centers across Nepal participated in peacebuilding activities designed to boost confidence, teambuilding, trust building and social adjustment skills. Some resource materials, like a peacebuilding dialogue facilitation guide and audio visual training materials for youth and peacebuilding were also developed by SFCG during the period.

This capacity building in youth and peacebuilding programming has a multiplier effects at the local level. During the period, 784 CAAFAGs and VMLRs were trained on peacebuilding and leadership skills at the district level. Also, 73 youth groups were mobilized in peacebuilding programs and more than 114 peacebuilding dialogues and events in communities were organized by youth clubs with CAAFAGs and VMLRs. This program has provided the platform for VMLRs to work with their communities and provided life skills on trust building, confidence building, leadership development and communication skills. This has also made it easier for vocational training service providers to deal with VMLR at the training centers. Community members also participated in peace building activities aimed at social reconciliation and community peacebuilding with the intention to build linkages and develop relationships between VMLR and community.

Even with this capacity building program involving IPs, youth clubs and VMLR allows for a building of trust and relationships, more focus on the capacity building of youth – and their linkage with relevant agencies at the district and regional levels – is necessary to sustain youth and peacebuilding programs beyond the scope of this project.