KATHMANDU, AUGUST 17
The National Youth Council has initiated Youth Friendly Local Governance campaign to ensure effective implementation of provisions for establishment of youth rights in the country.
YFLG is a strategic framework that incorporates the concerns of youths in the local governance system to operate with the active participation, involvement and cooperation of youths.
It is very essential to promote the concept of YFLG for implementing the responsibilities and rights given to the local government by the Local Government Operation Act, 2017, the five pillars of the Youth Vision, 2025 and tenyear strategic plan namely; quality and vocational education, employment, entrepreneurship and skill development, health and social protection, youth mobilisation and participation, and leadership development and sports and entertainment.
This year, NYC, in joint collaboration with Jagriti Child and Youth Concern Nepal, and support of UNICEF and UNDP, revised the YFLG Guideline, 2018 through virtual engagement of more than 180 stakeholders and youths of various backgrounds. The revised YFLG guideline envisions seven strategies, 46 approaches, 45 indicators and four steps for adoption, implementation and declaration of YFLG at the local level. They can be localised as per the local need, importance and demand.
In addition, a YFLG training Manual was prepared with the engagement of over 200 youths and stakeholders for kicking off YFLG pilot programme in the country.
Seven local governments were selected for implementation of YFLG pilot project, including Rautamai Rural Municipality, Udayapur (Province 1), Kanchanrup Municipality, Saptari (Madhes province), Madi Municipality, Chitwan (Bagmati Province), Kawasoti Municipality, Nawalpur (Gandaki Province), Tilottama Municipality, Rupandehi (Lumbini Province), Mahabu Rural Municipality, Dailekh (Karnali Province) and Dashrathchand Municipality, Baitadi (Sudurpaschim Province).
Three-day capacity building programme was conducted in these selected local levels reaching more than 300 stakeholders, including mayor, deputy mayor, chief administrative officers, section officers, youths from private sectors, conflict-hit youths, youths from sexual and gender minorities, youths with disabilities, farmers, and so on. These pilot trainings have kindled the YFLG momentum in the selected areas and the stakeholders have provided complete ownership and commitment to contribute for promotion of YFLG programme realising the contemporary need of YFLG intervention in the local bodies.
A support committee was formed for continuation of YFLG campaign, and commitment letter was signed by the participants at the end of each of these trainings.
Specific work plan has also been prepared at all the selected seven local governments for further intervention on YFLG agenda.
A version of this article appears in the print on August 18, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.
