Expanding Civic Space by Engaging Youth from Zanzibar’s Higher Learning Institutions

Funded by

National Endowment for Democracy

From: 2021-01-01

To: 2023-12-31

The Expanding Civic Space by Engaging Zanzibar’s Higher Learning Institution Youth project is a two-year initiative supported by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). It builds on previous work carried out by ZAFAYCO to safeguard and broaden civic space in Zanzibar. While earlier phases focused on community youth, civil society actors, and youth in media, this renewed grant specifically targets students in higher learning institutions, recognizing their pivotal role in shaping democratic values, community participation, and the future of civic engagement in Zanzibar.

The project engaged 60 students from over eight higher learning institutions across Zanzibar. These young people received in-depth training on civic responsibility, human rights, and advocacy, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to act as champions for civic space and democratic participation. The initiative connected them with relevant authorities and platforms, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to community affairs beyond academic settings.

As part of their engagement, the student champions designed and implemented micro-programs that reached more than 700 other young people throughout Zanzibar. Through educational outreach, including sessions held in collaboration with the Department of Good Governance under the President’s Office, these efforts extended the conversation on civic participation to both in-school and out-of-school youth. The project fostered greater awareness of the importance of youth inclusion in civic matters regardless of educational status.

By utilizing both digital and physical platforms, the youth involved have amplified key messages on governance, rights, and youth participation. They have also challenged harmful stereotypes related to age, gender, and ideology, asserting their place in Zanzibar’s civic landscape. The project generally demonstrated how university youth can serve as a bridge between academic life and broader social transformation, helping to secure a more open and inclusive civic space for all.