Objective

• To ensure informed long-term and sustained participation of youth in decision-making processes.
• To develop youth leaders capable of promoting civic education and awareness within their communities, thereby fostering a culture of active citizenship and engagement.
• To mobilize youth leaders to implement community-based campaigns on civic education across 16 districts of Bangladesh, ensuring broad awareness and participation.

Project Summary

In Bangladesh, the youth population represents a critical demographic in shaping the future of the country’s democratic landscape. Youth participation in civic and political processes has remained relatively low despite their numbers due to a lack of knowledge, access to platforms, and trust in existing systems. To address this, the JAAGO Foundation has initiated the “Enhancing Youth Civic Engagement and Democratic Participation” project. This project is designed to empower youth leaders in all 64 districts across Bangladesh to actively promote civic education and democratic engagement in their communities.

The project involves a comprehensive training program where 480 youth leaders from diverse backgrounds receive capacity-building workshops focused on civic education, governance, and leadership skills. These workshops cover essential topics such as the roles and responsibilities of citizens, democratic rights, and how to advocate for community development through civic participation. Upon completion of the training, these youth leaders return to their respective districts and lead local awareness campaigns designed to engage other youth and community members in discussions about democracy, voting rights, and civic duties.

One of the key components of the project is the implementation of community-based campaigns, where youth leaders collaborate with local authorities and stakeholders to ensure effective outreach and engagement. These campaigns include workshops, seminars, and social media initiatives aimed at raising awareness of the importance of civic participation, particularly among marginalized and underrepresented groups.

The project culminates with a series of district-level civic engagement campaigns that involve thousands of direct and indirect beneficiaries. Also, a national civic awareness seminar was arranged in which 415 youth leaders participated. The goal is to create a ripple effect where empowered youth leaders continue to advocate for democratic participation, fostering a more inclusive and participatory democratic environment in Bangladesh. Through this initiative, the JAAGO Foundation aims to create a lasting impact by building a generation of informed, engaged, and proactive citizens.