Youth and Cultural Development Foundation (YCDF) is a vibrant youth-focused non-governmental organization dedicated to developing innovative youth development strategies for the involvement and participation of Youth in Ethiopia. It was founded in 2013 by youth development passionate leaders and social entrepreneurs seeking to expand opportunities for young people to acquire the values, knowledge, and skills that will enable them to actively participate in the country’s social, economic, and cultural development of their communities and to contribute positively in creating sustainable future.
(Since inceptions YCDF has extensive experience working with bilateral donors, local and international NGOs, and federal and regional authorities i.e. Bureau of Education, Finance and Economic Development and Planning Commission, Ministry of Women, Children and Youth, Zonal Health Office, Zone Agriculture and Rural Development Office, other regional sector offices and community members. Its program implementation approach is need-focused with active and full community participation throughout the process.
Worth mentioning its few developmental interventions which include but are not limited to Environmental Health, Health (sexuality education, community health education, and behavior change) Protection (gender equality in schools, prevention of gender-based violence, child protection (FGM/C)), Humanitarian Coordination – capacity building for good governance, leadership and learning for action, training, and education for better livelihood. For example, since 2015 YCDF in collaboration with the Australian Embassy, the Girl Generation, Initiative Africa (IA), and the British Council has expanded its interventions in schools, particularly in secondary and preparatory schools to support government efforts to improve the quality and equity of student’s educational achievements, notably girl’s education.
YCDF has partnered with more than 50 secondary schools in Four Regional States (SNNPRS, Sidama, Oromia, and Addis Ababa). We provided intensive capacity-building training and professional development workshops, technical assistance, and resources to schools working to support young girls for school completion.
To conclude, as our practice tells us YCDF has a longstanding good relationship with all district and regional government offices, as signatories of the implementation of project agreements with good track records, participate in the selection of target beneficiaries using agreed criteria – which urges all disadvantage people are included and partnership are ensured.
YCDF exists to work with youth by assisting them to gain social, entrepreneurial, and developmental skills through training, sharing, and exchange programs and provide them with community engagement capacity through community outreaches as well as youth initiatives schemes.
To see empowered, progressive and well-equipped youth who are change agents in the development of their communities.
Youth Culture Development Foundation (YCDF) exists to work with youth by assisting them gain social, entrepreneurial, and developmental skills through training, sharing and exchange programs and provide them with community engagement capacity through community outreaches as well youth initiatives schemes.
YCDF is a vibrant youth-focused Civil Society Organization founded in 2013 dedicated to preventing conflict, fostering sustainable peace, economic empowerment, social responsibility, and advancing human dignity. YCDF focuses on youth development for the last 10 years with an emphasis on life skills education, gender-sensitive pedagogy, sustainable livelihood, health education, environment, STEM, youth empowerment and participation intercultural dialogue, and active citizenship. The aim is to contribute to democratization, peacebuilding, and sustainable development by stimulating societal engagement among youth and sensitizing them about their rights.