Impact & Learnings
- Youth becoming active members of groups in their community increased from 29% to 87%
- Youth feeling they are part of their community increased from 83% to 96%
- Sport provides a means to reach marginalised youth and facilitate further civic participation
- Sports galas bring communities together and create a shared sense of belonging, while also highlighting the abilities of young people
“Our biggest challenge is unemployment.”
Youth unemployment is high in Uganda, particularly among those residing in informal settlements. Idleness stemming from a lack of opportunities leads many young people to engage in substance abuse and turn to crime. Young people thus become viewed as a threat in their communities, creating a negative feedback cycle which only further increases their marginalisation.
Sport provides an engagement avenue which can be leveraged to break this cycle. Through the Safe and Inclusive Cities (SAIC) programme, our partner organisations, The National Slum Dwellers Federation of Uganda and ACTogether Uganda, held sports galas in informal settlements with the aim of bringing young women and men together. At these events they can engage in dialogue and find opportunities for further community engagement, both through joining projects and via membership of youth organisations. Youth are also mobilised to join saving clubs and begin building a foundation for their future.
“…such initiatives promote unity among youth, aids talent and facilitates group formation for skilling”
Being involved in a community sports gala is the first step towards reframing how young people are viewed in their communities. Through sport, they can show off their abilities alongside their peers and then join a project which works to improve society.
“We market out talents whenever the opportunity presents itself. We are changing the narrative of people labelling us crooks”
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