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Presentation of the ECOWAS Regional Youth Policy: a strategic framework for an autonomous, engaged and resilient youth

As part of the regional workshop on the consolidation, validation and adoption of ECOWAS regional policies on youth, sport and volunteering, participants attended an in-depth presentation on the draft ECOWAS Regional Youth Policy. This strategic document, which is currently being finalised, will be submitted for review and adoption by the ministers responsible for youth affairs in the Member States before being approved by the Community’s decision-making bodies. This new policy reflects ECOWAS’s commitment to placing young people at the heart of regional integration and sustainable development. It forms part of ECOWAS’s Vision 2050 as well as continental and international commitments in support of young people, notably the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals. The West African region is characterised by a particularly young population, which represents a considerable opportunity for economic and social development. However, young people face numerous challenges that hinder their fulfilment and their full participation in community life. Among the main challenges identified are youth unemployment and under-employment, limited access to quality education and training, gender inequalities, difficulties in accessing funding for entrepreneurship, weak mechanisms for youth participation in decision-making processes, the effects of climate change, irregular migration, violent extremism, conflicts, as well as emerging issues relating to mental health, digital transformation and the inclusion of people with disabilities. In response to these challenges, the Regional Policy aims to provide a common framework enabling Member States to strengthen their initiatives in support of young people whilst harmonising their national policies. The Regional Policy aims to foster a generation of young people who are independent, skilled, healthy, resilient, innovative and fully engaged in the region’s development. It aims to create an environment conducive to young people’s fulfilment by enhancing their access to economic opportunities, education, employment, entrepreneurship, civic participation, governance and new technologies. It also places particular emphasis on promoting equal opportunities, social inclusion, volunteering, peace, social cohesion and regional citizenship, whilst fostering better coordination between Member States, regional institutions, youth organisations, the private sector and technical and financial partners. The implementation of this Policy should help to strengthen the coherence of national youth policies with ECOWAS’s regional guidelines, improve coordination and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and promote more active participation by young people in the governance and development of their communities. It will also help to develop young people’s employability and entrepreneurship, foster their economic and social inclusion, improve their access to essential services and strengthen their resilience in the face of crises. The Policy further provides for the establishment of mechanisms for data collection, monitoring of indicators and evaluation of progress made, in order to measure its impact on young people’s living conditions in Member States. Through this initiative, ECOWAS reaffirms its commitment to making young people a driving force for regional integration, peace, innovation and shared prosperity. The forthcoming adoption of this Policy will mark a decisive step towards building a regional community in which every young person can contribute fully to the sustainable development of West Africa.