THE United NationsDevelopment Programme (UNDP) and International Labor Organization (ILO), in partnership with the national government, are empowering youth and promoting their role as agents of peace and resilience through community-based projects within the Empowering Youth as Agents for Peace and Social Cohesion in the Solomon Islands Project’s framework.
From brickmaking and piggery to vegetable garden and landscaping, UNDP supported five Honiara-based initiatives, which are part of 26 social entrepreneurship / community projects facilitated by the local partner Development Service Exchange (DSE), implemented by young leaders in three provinces.
These projects aimed to support building social cohesion and sustaining peace in the targeted communities.
The overarching impact goes beyond transforming the individual participants – it contributes to the community’s social and economic development.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA), Cedric Alependava, the Permanent Secretary, took note of the support provided by UNDP through the Youth Empowerment Project.
“I welcome today’s handover of these youth-led community projects, which has affirmed itself as one of the great achievements of the partnership between the Government and UNDP,” Alependava said.
“While supporting youth initiatives like this drives growth and change in Solomon Islands’ communities, it also contributes to conflict reduction and promoting peaceful co-existence,” he added.
Alependava further encouraged partners to ensure strong and continuous support for youth-led peacebuilding efforts as “young people are a powerful force for change”.
“Investing in today’s youth means investing in our future. They are the future leaders of their communities,” Berdi Berdiyev, UNDP Country Manager in Solomon Islands, pointed out.
“In close partnership with the Government, we are bridging gaps between communities and laying strong foundations for harmonious and peaceful relations and social cohesion,” he added.
With the 2030 Agenda as a guiding thread, UNDP works to advance young people’s civic and political life, economic empowerment, and role as peace- and resilience-builders.
Empowering youth through community-based initiatives is part of the Empowering Youth as Agents for Peace and Social Cohesion in the Solomon Islands Project which is being implemented by UNDP Solomon Islands and International Labor Organization with the financial support of the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund.
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Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, it helps nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.
