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:
We build capacity through leadership training
Each year, we train 25-50 emerging youth leaders on advocacy strategies, media campaigns, and social change movements. This comprehensive training focuses on youth empowerment, giving participants the knowledge and tools they need to drive meaningful, lasting impact in their communities.
We co-create localized resources with youth leaders
Together with our participants, we develop educational toolkits—flashcards, comics, and animations—that address themes like sexual grooming, menstrual equity, child marriage, and FGM. These resources are tailored to the Nigerian context and translated into major local languages to ensure they are accessible and effective.
We foster community engagement and advocacy
We equip youth leaders to disseminate these educational resources and lead awareness campaigns. By working alongside parents, educators, and local leaders, these youth advocates help build supportive environments where open dialogue can flourish, tackling sensitive topics like sexual health and reproductive rights.
Dissemination and Advocacy
We support youth advocates as they distribute educational materials and lead social change movements across various communities. By providing the tools and training needed, we empower young leaders to become the driving force behind local initiatives that address key societal issues.
We provide continuous mentorship and support
Youth advocates receive ongoing mentorship and support even after their training. This includes mini-grants to fund the most promising proposals and facilitate further dissemination of educational resources. By nurturing these young leaders, we help them sustain their movements and grow their impact beyond the lab.
Project Objectives
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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.