By Bill W. Cooper
The Federation of Liberian Young (FLY) in collaboration with the European Partnership for Democracy and Youth Democracy Cohort has officially launched its ‘Youth Impact Monitoring and Advocacy Program in the country.
With funding from the European Union (EU), the initiative launched under the theme: “Harnessing Youth Power, Tracking Progress, and Driving Change” marks a significant milestone in the organization’s efforts to empower and support young people in Liberia.
The program, which aims to monitor and evaluate the impact of youth-focused initiatives and advocate for policies that benefit young people, was launched at a ceremony attended by government officials, civil society leaders, and representatives from various youth organizations.
Officially launching the initiative over the weekend, Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister for International Organization, Karishma Pelham-Raad highlighted the importance of the program in ensuring that the voices and needs of young people are heard and addressed in Liberia.
She emphasized the government’s commitment to promoting youth empowerment and development in the country, noting, “We, as a government, believe that young people are the future of Liberia and we must provide them with the support and opportunities they need to thrive and succeed.”
She added, “So, through this Youth Impact Monitoring and Advocacy Program, we look forward to working with FLY and partners including other stakeholders, ensuring that the government is held accountable for their commitments to young people and advocate for policies that promote their well-being.”
Giving the background of the program, the National Program Manager of FLY, Samuel Kpartor said the program will involve monitoring and evaluating the impacts of various youth-focused initiatives across Liberia.
He said it includes education, health, employment, and civic engagement programs as FLY will also collect data and feedback from young people and stakeholders to assess the effectiveness of these initiatives and identify areas for improvement.
Kpartor noted that in addition to monitoring the impact of youth programs, the program will also involve advocacy efforts to promote policies that benefit the well-being of young people in Liberia.
He added that FLY will work with government officials, policymakers, and other stakeholders to advocate for policies that address the needs and concerns of young people, such as access to quality education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.
Also the EU Ambassador to Liberia, through her representation commended the organization for its efforts to promote youth development and pledged to work closely with FLYP to support its initiatives.
Meanwhile, Youth and Sports Deputy Minister for Youths Development, Bryant McGill said, “We are pleased to see FLY taking the lead in advocating for the rights and well-being of young people in Liberia.”
“The government is committed to working with organizations like FLY to create a conducive environment for young people to thrive and contribute to the development of our country,” Deputy Minister McGill added.
Civil society leaders also expressed support for FLY’s Youth Impact Monitoring and Advocacy Program, noting the importance of empowering young people to participate in decision-making processes and holding stakeholders accountable for their commitments to youth development.
“We believe that young people have a crucial role to play in shaping the future of Liberia, and it is essential that we provide them with the support and opportunities they need to succeed this program will help ensure that the voices and needs of young people are heard and addressed in Liberia,” LEON Head of Secretariat, Augustine Tamba stated.