Francis J. Kamote (Head of Programs at Youth Peacemakers Tanzania – YPM) in a focused discussion with Hon. Joel Arthur Nanauka, Minister of State, President’s Office – Youth Development, on the aspirations, opportunities and strategic priorities of Tanzania’s youth in the journey from Vision 2025 toward Dira 2050.
The engagement reflects a shared commitment to strengthening youth participation, innovation, entrepreneurship, skills development and inclusive economic transformation—ensuring that young Tanzanians are not merely beneficiaries of the national development agenda, but active contributors to shaping Tanzania’s future.
“From Vision 2025 to Dira 2050: Investing in Young People, Ideas and Innovation for a Prosperous Tanzania.”
This framing is consistent with the Minister’s recent emphasis on giving young people space to contribute ideas and participate actively in national development and with Dira 2050’s focus on unlocking the potential of youth and women.
Youth Peacemakers Tanzania (YPM) was represented at Innovation Week Tanzania 2026, held at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam, bringing together young innovators, entrepreneurs, leaders, creatives, and development actors from across the country.
Innovation Week Tanzania 2026 provided a dynamic platform for participants to explore emerging ideas, share experiences, build networks, and discover innovative solutions to challenges facing communities and the country at large. The event featured discussions and learning sessions on key areas including youth innovation, entrepreneurship, digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), green innovation, financial inclusion, and Tanzania’s Development Vision 2050 (Dira 2050).
For YPM, participation in Innovation Week reflects the organization’s commitment to creating opportunities for young people to learn, connect, innovate, and contribute to positive social and economic transformation. The event offered an opportunity to engage with different actors, gain insights into emerging approaches, and explore how innovation can be harnessed to address challenges affecting young people and communities.
YPM believes that young people are not only beneficiaries of development but are also innovators, problem-solvers, peacebuilders, and leaders of transformation. Providing young people with access to knowledge, technology, networks, mentorship, and economic opportunities can help turn their ideas into practical solutions that contribute to a more inclusive and prosperous society.
Through its continued engagement with youth-focused platforms, YPM remains committed to supporting young people to develop their potential and use their creativity and innovation to advance peace, justice, economic empowerment, and sustainable development.
Youth Peacemakers Tanzania (YPM) is investing in the next generation of leaders by engaging young people through Peace Clubs in schools and communities. These clubs provide safe and inclusive spaces where young people can speak up, share their ideas, discuss challenges affecting their communities, and explore peaceful solutions.
Through regular discussions, peer-to-peer learning, leadership activities, and peacebuilding initiatives, YPM encourages young people to develop confidence, communication skills, critical thinking, and leadership abilities. Rather than simply being taught about peace, young people are given the opportunity to actively shape conversations and contribute their own perspectives on issues that matter to them.
Peace Clubs also create opportunities for young people to understand their role as agents of change. By encouraging them to listen to others, respect different opinions, resolve conflicts peacefully, and take initiative within their communities, YPM is helping nurture a generation of responsible and engaged leaders.
When young people are given a voice, a safe space to participate, and the confidence to share their ideas, they become powerful drivers of positive change.
The impact of a peacebuilding programme is not only measured by the activities completed during the project period, but also by what communities choose to continue after the programme ends. In Mkinga District, 12 young people who participated in the Kujenga Amani programme have taken an important step toward sustaining peacebuilding efforts by forming their own youth-led group.
The initiative emerged from the young people’s shared realization that the challenges discussed and addressed during the programme—including peace and conflict, gender-based violence (GBV), youth unemployment, limited economic opportunities, and meaningful youth participation in community decision-making—require continued attention beyond the life of a single project.
Through Kujenga Amani, the young people gained knowledge and practical skills that encouraged them to look beyond their individual experiences and consider how they could contribute to positive change within their communities. The programme created opportunities for them to engage in discussions, participate in trainings, exchange experiences, and understand the role they can play in promoting peaceful and inclusive communities.
Rather than allowing the experience to end with the programme, the 12 youth decided to organize themselves into a group that will continue advocating for issues that directly affect young people in Mkinga.
A Platform for Youth Voices
The newly formed group seeks to create a platform where young people can speak up, share ideas, raise concerns, and advocate for solutions to challenges facing their communities. The members believe that young people should not only be consulted when decisions are being made but should also have meaningful opportunities to influence conversations and actions around issues affecting their lives.
One of the group’s key areas of focus is peacebuilding. The members aim to continue promoting dialogue, tolerance, understanding, and peaceful conflict resolution among young people and within their communities. By engaging their peers and encouraging open conversations, they hope to contribute to stronger relationships and more peaceful communities across Mkinga.
Standing Against Gender-Based Violence
The group also intends to strengthen youth participation in efforts to prevent and address gender-based violence. The members recognize that GBV affects individuals, families, and communities and that young people have an important role to play in challenging harmful attitudes and behaviors that contribute to violence.
Through awareness and community advocacy, the group will encourage young people to understand their rights, speak out against violence, support survivors, and promote respectful and equitable relationships.
Creating Economic Opportunities for Young People
Economic empowerment is another important priority for the group. With limited employment and income-generating opportunities affecting many young people, the members see the need to promote awareness of entrepreneurship, skills development, employment opportunities, and access to economic resources.
The group aims to connect young people with opportunities, encourage peer learning, and advocate for greater investment in youth economic empowerment. By combining peacebuilding with economic advocacy, the young leaders recognize that sustainable peace is closely connected to the ability of young people to access meaningful opportunities and build secure livelihoods.
From Beneficiaries to Changemakers
The formation of this group represents an important shift—from young people participating in a programme to young people taking ownership of the change they want to see.
Their story demonstrates the value of investing in youth with knowledge, skills, confidence, and opportunities to participate. The 12 young people are now using their collective voice to continue conversations that began through Kujenga Amani and to encourage other young people to become active contributors to their communities.
Their journey is a reminder that youth empowerment does not have to end when a project ends. When young people are given the opportunity to learn, connect, and lead, they can create initiatives that continue generating impact long after the initial intervention.
The 12 young people are now carrying the spirit of Kujenga Amani forward—advocating for peace, standing against GBV, and working to expand economic opportunities for young people in Mkinga.
Mama vijana kutoka Wilaya ya Mkinga wamepatiwa mafunzo kuhusu umuhimu wa ujuzi na maarifa katika kufanya maamuzi sahihi yenye kujenga maisha yao, familia na jamii kwa ujumla.
Pia, zoezi la monitoring lilifanyika katika Kikundi cha Huduma Ndogo za Kifedha cha Lengo Letu, kilichopo Kijiru, kwa ajili ya kufuatilia maendeleo ya kikundi na kuimarisha jitihada za kuwawezesha wanakikundi kiuchumi.
Aidha, wawakilishi kutoka YPM walihudhuria mechi za Mkinga Stop Poverty Cup, zinazolenga kuelimisha jamii kupambana na umasikini pamoja na kuhamasisha jamii kuelewa na kutekeleza misingi ya utunzaji wa amani kupitia michezo.
Ujuzi, maarifa na maamuzi sahihi ni msingi wa kujenga jamii yenye fursa, amani na maendeleo.
The Stop Poverty Cup officially kicked off in Kwedeghe, Lushoto, bringing together football teams and community members through sport while promoting awareness and action against poverty.
The opening match delivered an exciting and competitive encounter between Nyuki FC and Kwekanga FC, with Kwekanga FC securing a 1–0 victory over Nyuki FC.
Beyond the competition, the Stop Poverty Cup uses football as a platform to educate and mobilize communities on poverty reduction, peace, youth empowerment, and sustainable development. The tournament provides young people with an opportunity to showcase their talents while coming together to build stronger, more peaceful, and resilient communities.
The opening in Kwedeghe marks the beginning of a series of matches that will continue to bring communities together under the message of “Stop Poverty”, demonstrating how sport can inspire collective action and create opportunities for positive change.
Youth Peacemakers Tanzania (YPM) joined young people, students, community members, and stakeholders to commemorate International Youth Day at the YPM Multipurpose Playground, bringing together youth through learning, dialogue, sports, and interactive activities.
The celebration provided a platform for young people to discuss issues affecting their lives while recognizing their important role in promoting peace, equality, and sustainable development. Participants engaged in sessions addressing transformative masculinity, leadership, youth empowerment, mental health, gender equality, and peaceful communities, creating space for young people to share experiences, exchange ideas, and learn from one another.
The YPM Multipurpose Playground served as a safe and inclusive space where young people could connect, express themselves, build confidence, and participate in activities that promote both personal and community development. Through sports and dialogue, the event demonstrated how youth-friendly spaces can encourage positive relationships, strengthen social cohesion, and support young people to become active agents of change.
YPM continues to recognize that young people are not merely beneficiaries of development but key partners and leaders in building peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous communities. Creating opportunities for youth participation, skills development, meaningful engagement, and leadership remains essential to unlocking their potential and contributing to sustainable development.
The International Youth Day celebration reaffirmed YPM’s commitment to empowering young people to lead, participate, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities.
Knowledge, collaboration, and investment are key drivers of sustainable community development.
Representatives from Youth Peacemakers Tanzania (YPM), together with members of community-based microfinance groups, had the opportunity to participate in the Nanenane Farmers’ Day celebrations in Arusha. The event brought together farmers, entrepreneurs, community members, development actors, and other stakeholders to share knowledge, showcase innovations, and explore opportunities for improving livelihoods.
During the celebrations, participants had the opportunity to learn more about modern agricultural practices, livestock keeping, entrepreneurship, value addition, and various economic opportunities that can contribute to increased household income and improved living standards. The event also provided a valuable platform for participants to interact with different stakeholders, exchange experiences, discover new ideas, and gain practical knowledge that can be applied within their communities.
For members of microfinance groups, such opportunities are particularly important as they help broaden their understanding of available economic activities and encourage them to explore ways of investing their savings and resources in productive and sustainable ventures. Access to information, skills, networks, and markets can play a significant role in enabling individuals and groups to strengthen their businesses and become more economically resilient.
For Youth Peacemakers Tanzania (YPM), participation in Nanenane is part of the broader commitment to supporting communities to become economically empowered, self-reliant, and resilient. We believe that sustainable development begins with empowering people with the knowledge and confidence they need to identify opportunities, make informed decisions, and take action towards improving their livelihoods.
Economic empowerment is not only about increasing income; it is also about creating communities where individuals have the capacity to support themselves and their families, contribute to local development, and participate meaningfully in economic and social activities.
Through knowledge sharing, innovation, collaboration, entrepreneurship, and responsible investment, communities can make better use of the opportunities and resources available to them. Initiatives such as Nanenane provide an important space for learning, networking, and connecting communities with new ideas and possibilities for growth.
At YPM, we remain committed to working alongside young people, families, community groups, and other stakeholders to promote opportunities that contribute to economic empowerment, social cohesion, peace, and sustainable development.
When communities learn together, connect with opportunities, and invest in their potential, they build stronger foundations for a more resilient and prosperous future.
The fight against poverty is not the responsibility of one person it is a shared responsibility that requires the collective efforts of the entire community. When we work together, the journey towards economic empowerment becomes easier, stronger, and more sustainable.
During a visit to Duga Ward, the Youth Peacemakers Tanzania (YPM) team had the opportunity to meet with members of community-based microfinance groups. The team listened to the challenges they face, exchanged ideas, and discussed practical ways to strengthen these groups so they can continue to grow and create greater economic opportunities for their members.
We believe that strong and resilient microfinance groups play an important role in building self-reliant communities, reducing poverty, strengthening social cohesion and peace, and promoting sustainable development.
Through collective action, knowledge sharing, and community empowerment, we can create greater opportunities for individuals and families to build more secure and prosperous futures.
A NOREC officer leads a discussion with a group of young mothers on how society’s perceptions of masculinity and femininity are shaped from childhood, and how these perceptions can influence children’s lives as they grow into adulthood.
The training focused on understanding how parenting practices, cultural norms, traditions, and societal expectations can either contribute to or prevent gender-based violence. Participants explored the importance of raising children in environments that promote equality, respect, positive communication, and equal opportunities regardless of gender.
Through the discussion, young mothers were encouraged to become agents of change within their families and communities by promoting parenting approaches that challenge harmful and discriminatory gender norms. They were also encouraged to nurture a generation that values dignity, rights, respect, and equality for all.
We believe that investing in the knowledge and awareness of today’s parents and caregivers is an important step towards building safer, more inclusive, and gender-equal communities for the children of tomorrow.
