Africa-Press – Eswatini. In an inspiring move to uplift young people, the Coordinating Assembly of Non-Governmental Organisations (CANGO) is taking bold steps to ensure youth voices shape the future.
Bhekani Dlamini, CANGO’s Programs Manager for Coordination and Advocacy, has confirmed the organization’s active role in partnering with the World Bank and the Government of Eswatini on an exciting new project designed to enhance youth employment opportunities and improve land access.
A Collaborative Vision for Youth Empowerment
Speaking on the motivation behind initiating this groundbreaking consultative meeting, Dlamini explained that CANGO was identified as a key stakeholder to represent civil society and drive meaningful engagement. “We are committed to amplifying youth voices, combining global development expertise with local insights to influence the Youth Employment Opportunities Project and address land tenure challenges faced by young people,” he said.
Ensuring Inclusion from the Ground Up
CANGO is making deliberate efforts to involve youth from rural and marginalized communities in every step of the project. Through its extensive network of member organizations, the organization will organize community dialogues, mentorship programs, and training initiatives. “We are creating safe spaces for youth to share their aspirations through our youth, children’s, and gender consortia,” Dlamini emphasized.
Promoting Gender Equity in Land Reforms
CANGO is also championing the rights of young women within the land reform conversation. During the meeting with the World Bank, the organization advocated for an inclusive approach that strengthens women’s land rights, raises community awareness, and promotes female participation in governance from grassroots to national levels. Engaging traditional leaders, Chiefs, and constituency leadership was also highlighted as key to the project’s success.
Partnering for Greater Impact
On the ground, CANGO is working closely with organizations like ACAT, WITAD, and LULOTE — all of which are already empowering youth through crop production, business development, skills training, and mentorship. These partnerships will offer young people access to a blend of financial support (through loans and grants) and capacity-building programs, helping them turn opportunities into lasting success.
Building Trust and Transparency in Land Disputes
Recognizing challenges such as legal complexities and traditional land tenure systems, CANGO plans to foster trust with traditional structures. Through training and sensitization initiatives led by paralegals and civil society organizations, they aim to promote a transparent, community-inclusive Land Dispute Resolution Tribunal model.
Measuring Success Through Access and Policy Change
Looking ahead, CANGO envisions success being measured by tangible outcomes: greater youth access to land, effective land utilization, and key policy reforms promoting youth involvement. An integrated Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework will ensure accountability and guide continuous improvement.
“This is just the beginning,” Dlamini concluded, expressing optimism that the project will plant the seeds for a brighter, more inclusive future for Eswatini’s youth.
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