Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Eswatini National Youth Council (ENYC), with support from the European Union (EU), has stepped up efforts to ensure youth programmes across the country are coordinated, effective, and results-driven.
This initiative was highlighted during a validation workshop for the National Youth Sector Coordination Framework, held at The George Hotel in Manzini on 22 January 2026.
The two-day workshop brought together government officials, youth leaders, civil society representatives, and development partners. Participants met to finalise a framework designed to align youth programmes nationally, preventing duplication and maximising impact.
Honourable Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, Bongani Nzima, officially opened the event, describing the framework as a “technical instrument” that will strengthen governance, coordination, and accountability in youth development. “This framework is not just a document,” Minister Nzima said. “It represents a compact between government and youth stakeholders to ensure initiatives are sustainable, coordinated, and deliver tangible results.”
The framework outlines clear governance arrangements, roles, responsibilities, and standard procedures for planning, monitoring, and reporting. Built on five pillars—institutional alignment, evidence-based planning, resource optimisation, monitoring and evaluation, and youth participation—the framework is designed to guide collaboration between ministries, local authorities, youth organisations, and development partners.
Minister Nzima emphasised that the framework must be practical and responsive to youth needs, particularly in education, employment, health, and civic engagement. “We must rigorously interrogate this framework to ensure it is contextually relevant,” he said. “Our youth deserve programmes that bring real benefits and create opportunities for growth.”
He further reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to institutionalising the framework through policy directives, adequate funding, and strengthened inter-ministerial coordination. Validated recommendations from the workshop will be integrated into national strategies and implemented at local levels.
The workshop builds on the mapping and coordination drive launched in March 2025, which aimed to identify gaps and opportunities in youth programming. Minister Nzima, who previously served as Member of Parliament for Sandleni Inkhundla, encouraged young people to seize opportunities in the digital economy. “We must position ourselves for economic and personal growth,” he said. “The future is digital, and our youth must be ready to take full advantage of it.”
EU Head of Cooperation, Eva Maria Engdahl, commended the ENYC for leading the coordination efforts. She highlighted the EU’s ongoing support for youth programmes aligned with the National Youth Policy and the National Development Plan. “Effective coordination is essential to avoid duplication and ensure better outcomes for young people,” Engdahl said.
Participants expressed optimism that the framework will transform youth engagement into measurable impact, fostering a system that is inclusive, resilient, and forward-looking. The initiative promises to strengthen youth participation and ensure that programmes across Eswatini are impactful, well-coordinated, and contribute to national development.
The validation workshop marks a significant step in positioning youth as active partners in shaping Eswatini’s social, economic, and digital future, demonstrating the country’s commitment to meaningful and results-oriented youth development.
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