Quarterly Report: Promoting Youth Civic Engagement (PYCE) Project

The project's objectives are to strengthen community-based institutions and mechanisms to ensure active participation in governance and locally driven solutions, and to improve access to and the delivery of quality services. To achieve this, the PYCE project focuses on strengthening the role of moderate religious actors in positively influencing Yemeni youth and establishing and supporting youth sport and recreational programs. The PYCE project is implemented by America-Mideast Educational and Training Services, Inc. (AMIDEAST) in partnership with local organizations and stakeholders. The project's activities are designed to foster a more diverse set of program components that can accomplish the overarching objectives of USAID in a new Yemen. The enhanced objectives of the project are to strengthen and increase interaction between youth and influential community actors, including moderate religious actors, and to empower youth to positively affect their local communities through sports, recreational programs, and other community-based engagement activities. The second quarter of PYCE Phase II, which covers the period from October 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014, saw several major accomplishments. One of the key activities was the International Literacy Day celebrations, which were conducted in several K-12 schools across Yemen. The celebrations included literacy events, such as reading and writing games and competitions, which were conducted at MoYS 22 May Club and MoE Socotra School in Sana'a, with more than 100 youth participants. Additional literacy events were conducted at MoE 22 May School and Bilquis School in Abyan, reaching an additional 100 students. The PYCE project also supported literacy through a range of activities at the National Library in Aden. In cooperation with PYCE vendor Bin Sanad, Peer Network Members installed fire extinguishers throughout the Library in November 2014. Peer Network Members, Peer Network applicants, and youth volunteers conducted a clean-up, greening, and rehabilitation project to prepare the Library to host youth learning activities. These interventions enjoyed substantial community-buy-in, including volunteers from four local associations. Another key activity of the second quarter was the First Annual Yemeni Youth Health Fair, which was conducted on December 27, 2014 in Aden. The Fair was implemented to build upon previous PYCE Community Grants on first aid, nutrition, fitness, and other health topics, which are relevant to youth and identified as areas of vulnerability. The health fair was conducted in two separate fairs, one for females at MoYS Mina Club and one for males at MoYS Mansourah Stadium. The PYCE project also supported girls' basketball activities at MoE 14 October School in Aden from December 16-31, 2014. The project is working to establish a formal team at the School and link team members with female players at other schools in an effort to launch a community-based league. These activities are designed to increase opportunities for girls in sports and to promote their participation in civic life. Overall, the PYCE project's activities in the second quarter of PYCE Phase II were designed to promote youth civic engagement, improve access to education and health services, and increase opportunities for girls in sports. The project's interventions are based on the sport-for-development model, which utilizes sport, recreation, and play to achieve development goals in areas such as education and health. The project's activities are expected to have a positive impact on the lives of Yemeni youth and to contribute to the country's stability and development.