Promoting youth leadership in Timor-Leste's local communities

The issue of youth unemployment is one of the serious problems in Timor-Leste. With half of the country's population under 18 and 41% of the people living in poverty, one ongoing UNDEF project in Timor-Leste is crucial to the country's future stability and progress.

For the next generation to be prepared for leadership challenges, Plan International Timor-Leste with a local NGO, Movimento Feto Foin Sae (MOFFE), have joined forces to promote youth leadership in local communities. The project will empower 1000 youth, aged 18-28 years, with a focus on women, to participate in decision-making processes. It aims to bring young women and men from the rural villages of 3 municipalities to network, highlight youth issues, and promote collective youth voices. One of the most impactful activities includes a one-day debate in the capital of Dili. Youth met and discussed with representatives from six well-known Civil Society Organizations in Timor-Leste on CSOs' experiences in development programs.