Youth Livelihoods and Conflict Transformation

Peaceful coexistence between refugees and host communities is not self-evident. The Youth Livelihood and Conflict transformation project sought to address this challenge by including the youth, who often struggle with unemployment, in the conflict transformation processes through income generating activities (IGAs). This project involves youth delivering solutions with participatory feasibility assessments, planning and implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and sharing best practices. It supports local structures and promotes local leadership for sustainability with continued development and dialogue with communities and people of concern.

The dia-praxis method is used to foster mutual appreciation among people of different backgrounds, by working together and engaging in practical work with a shared goal, such as increased income, in order to enhance positive relationships. This activity focuses on economic inclusion to promote peaceful co-existence and encourages diverse youth groups to engage, offering an important opportunity for youth engagement and redirect attention from violence to positive living. The youth learns to express themselves via teamwork, leadership, and social skills in youth groups of refugees (50%) and host communities (50%).

Update: The project is currently being implemented in two refugee-hosting Sub Counties in Uganda in a participatory manner with the inclusion of local leaders and other partners. The project focuses on offering IGAs to 2,000 young people to improve livelihoods and to promote peaceful co-existence within and between refugee and host communities in Adjumani and Moyo/Obongi districts.

Activity updates:

• In total, 1,223 participants were mobilised and sensitised on the DIF project of which 648 host community members (315 males, 333 females) and 575 refugees (272 males, 297 females).
• 80 youth groups were formed (40 in both districts), all comprising of 25 mixed members each to be supported by the project desegregated in terms of demographic.
• Training enabled the youth to properly constitute their groups, work together, identify market-oriented enterprises, engage Sub County authority for support and develop business plans for competitive awarding through pitching competition.
• 10 youth groups (5 in each district) were supported with micro grants after training in micro grant management to avoid abuse and ensure complete group ownership.
• The 80 groups participated in Village Saving Loan Associations (VSLA) activities.
• The LCC members and Peace parliamentarians in both districts of Adjumani and Obongi were trained by COSMESS in court proceedings, conflict resolution, laws, cases to handle & their limitations, referral, essential skill (counselling, communication, listening and interviewing). Since the training, no cases of poor case management, favouritism and corruption were received by the established complaint desks.
• COSMESS reproduced 12 branded copies of case registration booklets and 12 copies of booklets with relevant legal instruments. The booklets are being used by the community structures to guide their conflict-sensitive resolutions, hence ensuring transparency and respect for the leaders.

Project photo’s:

• Activity photo’s from the youth demonstration site, located in Aliwara village in Itirikwa Sub County, Adjumani District.
• Photo’s taken during partners visit (COSMESS, ICCO and HEKS) to the various groups in Ukusijoni Sub County in the villages of Atura, Sodogo and Ayiri Central in Adjumani District.