Youth and Community Development Organisation - YouthCode

07/03/2026

06/03/2026

Tools for Self-Reliance granted the organisation funds for the implementation of the Building Community Resilience and Livelihood through Vocational and Business Training Project. The goal of the project is to empower young men and women with technical, vocational, and business skills, and nurture an entrepreneurship culture to gain meaningful employment leading to improved well-being and resilience. The project has attracted a total of 48 apprentices. The apprentices are being trained in various technical vocational skills such as fabrication and welding, tailoring and fashion designing, and solar and electrical installation. There are also additional activities to implement the core technical vocational training. One of them is the motivational talk. The motivation talk is important to the apprentices as it inspires action, fostering personal and professional development and transforming perspectives. Motivational talks are crucial to the apprentices as they help to boost confidence, reduce fear, and provide the crucial energy needed to overcome challenges.

It is against this background that the organisation organised the motivational talk. The organisation invited Mr Bashili, owner of Mawila Building Contractors in Nkhotakota. Mr Bashili has a qualification in plumbing and is a successful contractor. In addition, Mr Vincent Sitima Phiri and Irrigation Engineer at Nkhotakota District Council and also the board chairperson for YouthCode. He also holds a technical qualification in Electrical Engineering. The speeches from these two renowned men instilled a lot of confidence and will help to foster their personal and professional development, particularly in this ever-changing environment that these apprentices are navigating.

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02/03/2026

02/03/2026

02/03/2026

YOUTH AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS UNDERWAY
Youth and Community Development Organisation board, staff, management and stakeholders have gathered at Kariba Beach Resort for a strategic planning process. The strategic planning process is a crucial step for the organisation, as it provides a clear roadmap that sets a vision, mission, values, and future goals and objectives to achieve stable and predictable outcomes.

YouthCode is implementing a 5-year project entitled “ YouthCode Capacity Strengthening and Resilient Support”. The goal is to strengthen the capacity of the organisation to become more resilient and responsive, and to deliver the priorities of the constituents effectively by 2030.

The Strategic Planning Process for YouthCode has been made possible with funding from the Tilitonse Foundation under the Shifting the Power Programme, Civil Society Strengthening Fund (CSSF). The Tilitonse Foundation implements the project in partnership with Comic Relief and the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom (UK Aid)”

15/12/2025

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The Youth and Community Development Organisation conducted a 2-day training workshop in the Lakeshore District of Salima for the board of directors. The organisation recognised the need to equip the board of directors with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively perform their roles and responsibilities within the organisation.

The board of directors are critical in our work as an organisation as they help in shaping the strategic direction of the organisation. Throughout the training, it was emphasised that the board is responsible for providing transparency and ensuring accountability. In addition, it is responsible for overseeing all operations, monitoring compliance across departments and making high-level decisions communicated through formal resolutions.

The board members appreciated the training as it acted as an eye-opener. The board was empowered and ready to take up its roles and responsibilities.

The Youth and Community Development Organisation is implementing a 5-year project under the Shifting the Power Programme under the Civil Society Strengthening Fund (CSSF), being implemented by Tilitonse Foundation in partnership with Comic Relief and the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom (UK Aid)

08/09/2025

On the 5th September 2025, Malawi celebrated International Youth Day in Lilongwe, Malawi. During the celebrations, the Ministry of Youth and the National Youth Council of Malawi recognised and awarded Youth and Community Development a certificate and a trophy for its outstanding work in youth development and its contributions to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals in Malawi.

This achievement cannot be attributed solely to the organisation, but rather to the collaborative contributions made at various levels, both internal and external. For the past 27 years of YouthCode's existence, the organisation has worked with several development partners at local, national and international levels. The total sum of all the contributions made by partners, the board, management, and staff has defined the organisation as it is today.

The organisation sincerely thank all the partners for their contributions, too numerous to mention, and the Ministry of Youth and the National Youth Council of Malawi for recognising our work.

, National Youth Council of Malawi, Norec, Uganda Youth Skills Training Organisation, Cazalla Intercultural VolunteerVolunteer Action for Change Kenya, Sedarvp Ghana, , , , , ,

19/05/2025

YouthCode Facilitates an Interface Meeting and the dissemination of Digitally Together for Gender Equality with the District Youth Officer, stakeholders, and the Nkhotakota District Youth Network in Nkhotakota, Malawi.

Digitally Together for Gender Equality (DIGE) is an international youth virtual exchange project implemented by the Youth and Community Development Organisation (YouthCode) and six other partners from Africa and Europe. The project is implemented virtually and leverages the use of digital tools. The young people in Malawi, in total, forty-eight, were trained in non-violent communication, negotiation skills, campaigning and emotional intelligence. Part of their local action plan was to engage with the Nkhotakota District Council through the District Youth Office and the Nkhotakota District Youth Network representatives. This was initiated taking into cognisance of the fact that the District Youth Office is the custodian and the policy holder insofar as the youth work in Malawi is concerned.

The youth interface meeting took place on the 15th May 2025 at the YouthCode Youth Centre and preceded a webinar titled “Redefining Traditions,” organised by our partner Sedarvp Ghana
The session provided a platform for the youth to learn from other youths from the Nkhotakota District Youth Network on how they excelled as youth entrepreneurs after graduating from universities. They also shared their experiences, proposed solutions related to unemployment, and participation in governance.

In his keynote address, the District Youth Officer, Mr Kachala Mwale emphasized the importance of youth involvement through youth groups because it is where they can make a great impact with collaborative ideas. He assured them that his office is always open, where they can be registered and participate in various activities at the district. ‘’Your ideas and energy are critical to Nkhotakota’s development,” he said. He was also excited to see the enthusiasm, motivation and willingness to learn that the youth demonstrated throughout the session.

Earlier, the Executive Director of YouthCode, Robert Mbaya, introduced the Digitally Together for Gender Equality (DIGE) project to the attendees. He explained that the DIGE project has empowered 336 young people aged 18 – 30 from 7 countries: Malawi, Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, Spain, Cyprus, and Bulgaria to become skilful digital advocates and change makers for equal and inclusive societies.

According to young people who attended the meeting, they said the meeting was an eye opener to them. The meeting was vibrant and an insightful engagement session with the District Youth Officer, Mr Alberson Mwale. The meeting was organised under the theme "Linking youth to stakeholders: a key to unlocking youth potential. The meeting was attended by young people who are participating in the DIGE project in Malawi.

Thereafter, all attendees participated in an online visual discussion organised by SEDARVP, Ghana, under the topic: Redefining Traditions: Cultural Evolution and gender equality.

Youth expressed appreciation for the initiative. “This meeting gave us strength, and we are eager to register with your office for continuous collaboration,” said Emma Chimaliro, YouthCode DIGE participant’s chairperson. “We hope this momentum continues.”
The meeting was organised to link the youth with the government structure and also the youth network as part of the sustainability of the project, particularly the youth structure.

Volunteer Action for Change Kenya
Cazalla Intercultural
Uganda Youth Skills Training Organisation
Сдружение Възможности без граници/ Infinite Opportunities Association
Youth and Community Development Organisation - YouthCode
Sedarvp Ghana, National Youth Council of Malawi, , Nkhotakota District Council,

Disclaimer
Project 101084010 — DiGE — ERASMUS-EDU-2021-VIRT-EXCH - "Digitally Together for Gender Equality" is co-funded by the European Union under EACEA, Erasmus +.

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them."

19/05/2025

YouthCode Facilitates an Engagement Meeting with the District Youth Officer and the Nkhotakota District Youth Network in Nkhotakota, Malawi.

Digitally Together for Gender Equality (DIGE) is an international youth virtual exchange project implemented by the Youth and Community Development Organisation (YouthCode) and six other partners from Africa and Europe. The project is implemented virtually and leverages the use of digital tools. The young people in Malawi, in total, forty-eight were trained in non-violent communication, negotiation skills, campaigning and emotional intelligence. Part of their local action plan was to engage with the Nkhotakota District Council through the District Youth Office and the Nkhotakota District Youth Network representatives. This was initiated taking into cognisance of the fact the fact that District Youth Office is the custodian and the policy holder insofar as the youth work in Malawi is concerned.

The youth interface meeting took place on the 15th May 2025 at the YouthCode Youth Centre and preceded a webinar titled “Redefining Traditions,” organized by our partner Sedarvp Ghana
The session provided a platform for the youth to learn from other youths from the Nkhotakota District Youth Network on how they excelled as youth entrepreneurs after graduating from universities. They also shared their experiences, proposed solutions related to unemployment, and participation in governance.

In his keynote address, the District Youth Officer, Mr. Kachala Mwale emphasized the importance of youth involvement through youth groups because it is where they can make a great impact with collaborative ideas. He assured them that his office is always open where they can be registered and participate in various activities at the district. ‘’Your ideas and energy are critical to Nkhotakota’s development,” he said. He was also excited to see the enthusiasm, motivation and the willingness to learn that the youth demonstrated throughout the session

Earlier, the Executive Director of YouthCode, Robert Mbaya, introduced Digitally Together for Gender Equality (DIGE) project to the attendees. He explained that DIGE project has empowered 336 youth people aged 18 – 30 from 7 countries: Malawi, Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, Spain, Cyprus, and Bulgaria to become skilful digital advocates and change makers for equal and inclusive societies.
According to young people who attended the meeting, they said the meeting was an eye opener to them. The meeting was vibrant and an insightful engagement session with the District Youth Officer, Mr. Alberson Mwale. The meeting, was organised under the theme "Linking youth to stakeholders a key to unlocking youth potential. The meeting was attended by young people that are participating in the DIGE project in Malawi.

Thereafter, all attendees participated in online visual discussion organized by SEDARVP, Ghana under the topic: Redefining Traditions: Cultural Evolution and gender equality.

Youth expressed appreciation for the initiative. “This meeting gave us strength, and we are eager to register with your office for continuous collaboration,” said Emma Chimaliro, YouthCode DIGE participant’s chairperson. “We hope this momentum continues.”
The meeting was organised to link the youth with government structure and also the youth network as part of the sustainability of the project particularly the youth structure.













Uganda Youth Skills Training Organization, Volunteer Action for Change Kenya
Cazalla Intercultural, Сдружение Възможности без граници/ Infinite Opportunities Association
Youth and Community Development Organisation - YouthCode
Sedarvp Ghana, National Youth Council of Malawi

Disclaimer
Project 101084010 — DiGE — ERASMUS-EDU-2021-VIRT-EXCH - "Digitally Together for Gender Equality" is co-funded by the European Union under EACEA, Erasmus +.

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them."

18/03/2025

Youth and Community Development Organisation Distributes Re-Usable Sanitary Pads to Linga Full Primary School.

Youth and Community Development Organization (YouthCode) a local non-governmental, non-profit and non-partisan organization dedicated to supporting the youth through provision of technical and vocational education training and well-being. The organisation is implementing a Skill for Jobs Project with support from Tools for Self-Reliance, a charity organisation based in the United Kingdom. YouthCode has provided reusable sanitary pads to over 200 girls in Standard Five to Eight at Linga Full Primary School in Nkhotakota district. Prior to the distribution exercise the organisation conducted an information session on menstrual health, breaking myths, and encouraging open conversations with the pupils.

The reusable sanitary pads were made by the 2024 tailoring and designing cohort for the vocational skills centre. This is part of the community support initiative designed to address the challenges that the communities face especially in the education sector. In addition, the organisation is maintaining the tables, desks and chairs at Nkhotakota L.E.A in Nkhotakota.

Speaking at the event, The Programs Manager, Mr. Andrew Masoakhumbira and ICT Instructor, Ms. Magret Gausi emphasized the importance of menstrual hygiene in ensuring that girls remain in school without disruptions. "Many girls miss school during their periods due to a lack of access to sanitary products. By providing them with these essentials, we are taking a step toward bridging the education gap and empowering our future leaders," they stated.

The students expressed their gratitude for the support, with many sharing their experiences and challenges in accessing sanitary products. "Sometimes, I have to stay home because I don’t have pads, and I fall behind in my studies. This donation means a lot to me and my fellow students," said one of the students.

Teachers, Mother Group and Parents Teacher Association (PTA) chair also praised the initiative, acknowledging the impact it would have on girls’ confidence and school attendance. The head teacher at the school, highlighted the need for continued support, stating, "Menstrual health is a critical issue that needs sustained attention. We appreciate this effort and hope to see more organizations come forward to support young girls."

29/10/2024

Youth and Community Development Organisation is currently recruiting young people aged 15-29 years to participate in the online digital exchange to start on the 13th of November 2024. The Virtual Youth Exchange shall provide an opportunity for young particularly girls to acquire skills on the use of digital tools and campaigning skills. They will also join other young people that were already trained to participate in various activities aimed at addressing gender issues in the society.

The following are the topics to be covered.
- Understanding campaigning for gender equality.
- Designing your campaign.
- Tools and strategies for effective campaigning.
- Mobilising for change.

Upon completion of this training participants shall receive a Youth Pass certificate.


Spaces are very limited, and girls are encouraged to apply particularly those living at Nkhotakota Boma. Closing date for receiving the expression of interest is Friday 1st November 2024. For more information contact 0999525945.

Disclaimer. The Digit@lly Together for Gender Equality (DiGE) Project with Grant Agreement Number: 101084010 — DiGE — Erasmus-Edu-2021-Virt-Exch is Funded by European Commission. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them