In Tanzania, more than three-quarters of the estimated 61 million population is under 35 years. Poverty, low education attainment, poor health and gender inequality expose young people, especially females, to risks and vulnerabilities that affect their wellbeing and development. Switzerland believes that increasing the number of educated, healthy and empowered working age or soon to be working age population provides a dynamic opportunity for economic growth.

Building on experience and lessons from over 40 years of development cooperation in the country, the Swiss Cooperation Programme Tanzania 2021-24 aims to empower young people, especially young women and girls, to advance socially and economically. To do so, it is important to ensure there is deliberate and meaningful youth engagement across the programme’s main priorities: to support state institutions, strengthen civic spaces, and to improve youth livelihoods.

Through the engagement of Restless Development, an NGO known for its mission to place young people at the forefront of change and development, the Embassy identified sixteen young changemakers under 30 years to form its first ever Youth Sounding Board (YSB). The main goal of instituting the Board is to advise on the overall steering of the Cooperation Programme to ensure Swiss-funded projects effectively and efficiently respond to the critical challenges and opportunities of Tanzania’s youth.

After the meeting, it was realized that the Board was also a platform to empathize and connect with the human side of project work, and to truly internalize the potential of young people.

“I can be a mentor. I might have missed my calling. This meeting has made me realize we have to do more to engage with and encourage young people so they build confidence. They are the future!” Feedback from an Embassy staff

By instituting and continuing to engage the YSB, the Embassy hopes to implement a Cooperation Programme that is not only in line with the goals of the Tanzania Development Vision 2025 but the hopes of young people. Not just guided by the Swiss Foreign Policy Strategy and Switzerland’s Strategy for International Cooperation, but also the lived experiences of Tanzanian youth.

 “We felt heard by the Embassy. Our opinions were respected. We are excited to be trusted under this initiative, and look forward to seeing how we can help steer the Swiss support towards impactful results.” Feedback from the YSB