05/22/2026
The target of training 10,000 young people was never meant to be an exaggerated figure. If anything, it is conservative. It gives us something measurable to work toward and allows people to understand the scale, structure, and intention behind the vision.
As an organization (Youths On Sustainable Development), we asked ourselves important questions: Why are we doing this? How are we doing it? Who are we trying to reach? The “how” became the structured training program. The “why” is to empower young people to drive sustainable development within their own communities and across the continent. The “how many” matters because vision also requires accountability and measurable impact.
What makes this initiative important is that the last three cohorts were organized entirely by young people themselves. No sponsorships. No external funding. Just young people pooling knowledge, time, skills, and resources to create spaces for learning and empowerment. That alone proves the commitment behind the work.
Even then, 10,000 young people is still a drop in the ocean. Over 70% of Zambia’s population is below the age of 35, and Africa remains the youngest continent in the world. The need is far greater than the number itself.
We hope government institutions, cooperating partners, and development organizations begin to see youth development not as charity, but as investment. We cannot continue asking young people to be innovative, solution-driven, and active participants in development when many have never been meaningfully exposed to the systems, policies, and global frameworks shaping their realities.
The purpose of the program is simple: to bring young people up to speed, ensure no one is left behind, and equip them with the knowledge and confidence to contribute meaningfully to sustainable development.
