Promoting Youth Civic Engagement: Quarterly Report

The project is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by America-Mideast Educational and Training Services, Inc. Youth in Yemen are the largest demographic, but their support and engagement are critical in a post-conflict Yemen. Academic deficiencies, high unemployment, and limited opportunities have severely limited the ability of youth to earn a living and achieve their dreams. Yemeni youth have diminishing optimism about the future, and their environment is saturated with longstanding divisions between tribes and opposition groups competing for influence. To address these challenges, the PYCE Project has sought to strengthen and increase interaction between youth and influential community actors, including moderate religious actors, and empower youth to positively affect their local communities through sports, recreational programs, and other community-based engagement activities. The project works in cooperation with the Ministries of Youth and Sports, Endowments and Guidance, and Education, as well as community leaders and stakeholders. Peer Network activities are implemented through cooperation with public schools, youth clubs, and recreational facilities. Communities of Practice are formed through renovations, community grants, and participatory analysis, where youth galvanize community members to volunteer and plan and implement non-formal education workshops, sport and recreational events, and service projects. To ensure direct beneficiaries are prepared to take on leadership roles, the PYCE Project organizes a series of workshops and experiential opportunities, including the Community Engagement Workshop, Sport and Activity Coordinator Program, and Peer Facilitation and Project Development Program. These programs are implemented in cooperation with Peace Players International and the National Organization for the Development of Society. The PYCE Project aims to support activities that complement national and international development agendas, including the USAID Youth in Development Policy, Education for All Goals, and Millennium Development Goals. The project has participated in meetings with ministry representatives at the local and national level to ensure the objectives and aspirations of Yemenis drive its interventions. PYCE activities are based on the sport-for-development model, which utilizes sport, physical activity, and play to achieve development goals in other fields, such as education and health. The project has enhanced implementation of activities to apply this model toward increasing interest in careers in science, information technology, water sanitation and hygiene, art, and health. To help youth develop healthy lifestyles, PYCE has utilized this model to promote pro-social behaviors and healthy lifestyles. The PYCE Project has made significant progress in its first quarter, with a focus on building a strong foundation for inclusive development and social innovation in Yemen. The project has established a network of community leaders and stakeholders, and has begun to implement activities that promote youth engagement and empowerment. The project's long-term goal is to support the reconstruction and ongoing political transition in Yemen, with a focus on building a more stable and prosperous future for Yemen's youth.