Catalysing Youth Agency as Social Change Makers and Emboldening Adolescents to make informed Sexual decisions

The “The Outreach Youth and Adolescent Lab” synergizes the strengths of the Hand-to-Mind Project and our growing network of advocates to create a transformative edulifting and advocacy program. 

Hand-to-Mind aims  to educate and empower adolescents through  a unique blend of play and learning focused on four critical thematic areas: 

  • sexual grooming, 
  • menstrual equity, 
  • child marriage, 
  • and female genital mutilation (FGM)

Whereas the Smile Outreach seeks to build the capacity of 20 emerging youth leaders annually to drive social change within their communities through a comprehensive six month training program called the Outreach Youth Lab.

The Outreach Youth Lab will deliver in depth training covering:

  • Sexual grooming, cross generational relationships, 
  • Child marriage
  • Menstrual Equity and Period Poverty
  • Harmful traditional practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

Our Approach

We ensure the success of the Youth Lab through a deliberate and multi-faceted strategy:

Project Objectives

Objective 1

To provide comprehensive training to young leaders on advocacy, media campaigns, and co-creation strategies.

Objective 2

To support the development of youth-led initiatives addressing cluster focus and/or pre-determined cause areas.

Objective 3

To foster a network of empowered youth leaders committed to driving social change in their communities.

Objective 4

To leverage media and technology to amplify the voices of young advocates and raise awareness of key social issues.

Objective 5

To incubate and support the establishment of new youth-led organizations by fellows inspired by the program.

Objective 6

To encourage innovation and creative problem-solving among participants, fostering the development of sustainable and impactful solutions.

Proposed Impact

Empowering Youth Leaders

Our mission is to cultivate a generation of informed, proactive youth advocates who are ready to drive change in their communities. These leaders will tackle critical issues head-on, transforming their passion into actionable advocacy, addressing key social challenges with confidence and purpose.

Reaching Adolescents

Through localized educational materials, we empower thousands of adolescents each year, providing them with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their bodies, health, and relationships. Our toolkits break down cultural barriers and foster open discussions on sensitive topics, ensuring that young people receive the guidance they need to navigate these complex issues.

Creating and Growing a Thriving Network of Youth Advocates

The Youth Lab is not just a local initiative; we are committed to creating and growing a thriving network of emerging youth advocates across the continent. By connecting these young leaders, we foster collaboration, shared learning, and the exchange of best practices, creating a powerful continental movement of youth-driven social change. This network will empower youth advocates to scale their impact beyond borders, ensuring that their voices resonate across Africa.

Creating Community-Led Change

By involving parents, educators, and local leaders, we foster a sense of collective responsibility for youth wellbeing. This collaborative approach helps dismantle stigmas, creating environments where young people can learn, grow, and thrive. Community engagement is a critical element of our work, ensuring the sustainability and long-term impact of youth-led movements.

Join Us and Make Impact

How You Can Join Us

Funding

Support our initiatives by providing financial contributions that will enable the Outreach Youth Lab to expand its reach. Your funding can help us:

  • Scale our training programs to reach more youth leaders across Nigeria.

  • Develop and disseminate culturally relevant educational materials such as flashcards, comics, and animations.

  • Provide mini-grants to youth leaders to implement their social change projects.

Be a Resource Expert to Train Youths

Join us as an expert trainer in the Outreach Youth Lab! We are seeking experienced professionals in advocacy, media, and SRHR (Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights) to:

  • Facilitate workshops on advocacy strategies and media campaign creation.

  • Guide youth in understanding critical issues such as sexual grooming, menstrual equity, and FGM.

  • Help shape future youth advocates to drive impactful change in their communities.

Become a Lab Mentor

Become a mentor to the next generation of youth advocates. As a Lab Mentor, you can:

  • Provide one-on-one mentorship to emerging youth leaders.

  • Share your expertise and offer guidance as they develop their advocacy projects.

  • Help our youth leaders overcome challenges and refine their strategies to ensure long-term success.

JOIN THE CAMPAIGN

Become a voice for change by participating in our advocacy initiatives. Whether you’re passionate about promoting gender balance, advocating for menstrual justice, or combatting harmful sexual relationships, there are numerous ways you can contribute and make a difference. Explore the opportunities below to find the perfect fit for you.

Our work would not be possible without the contributions of our partners. Thank you for supporting our mission to create a safer world for all.