Restless Development Zambia

#WeAreRestless about #YouthPower! At Restless Development, young people are at the centre of everything we do. We support young people to lead change, providing opportunities, and helping build confidence, networks and skills to lead initiatives that have a lasting impact. We work to proactively shift power to ensure every young person is able to lead and create a better world, bringing young people together to help them discover the tools they need to create the solutions that work best for them. Celebrating Zambia at #60YearsYoung reminded us of all the ways young people can! From supporting and influencing national policy and reshaping the political landscape to making strides in sports and art that propel a nation towards growth and success, young people have shown that the can do it all. In the comment section, tell us about a young person you look up to as you step into year 61 of freedom in Zambia! #RestlessDevelopment #YouthParticipation

Celebrating Zambia at #60YearsYoung! 🇿🇲 Happy Independence Day from the #RestlessDevelopmentZambia family! 😊 #WeAreRestless #YouthPower

Take on your passions in your youth! 💪 Kenneth Kaunda was in his 20s when he joined the Northern Rhodesian African National Congress (ANC) and in his 30s when he became Secretary General of the ANC. Princess Nakatindi Wina was in her 20s when she mobilised women and youth, laying the groundwork for womens involvement in post-independence politics. Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe was in his 30s when he co-founded the Zambia African National Congress (ZANC) Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula was in his 30s when he became the president of the ANC Doris Nyembe was in her 30s when she started mobilising women during the independence struggle As we celebrate 60 years of independence, we reflect on all the young people who contributed to our freedom, recognising that the heroes we know today were once young people fueled by passion and determination. Happy #IndependenceDayZambia! #YouthParticipation #PoweredByYoungPeople #WeAreRestless #60YearsYoung

Taking a look at youth participation for positive change in Zambia at #60YearsYoung! 💪 The 2012 AFCON was a game-changer for sports in Zambia and yet again, young people were at the forefront of this change. It was a young Chipolopolo team that carried Zambia to victory despite being the underdogs of the tournament. This led to a domino effect that saw an increase in sport participation across the country with communities, private organisations, and the government exploring more ways to encourage more young people to take up sports. When the Chipolopolo team won that game, it gave the Zambian people more than just pride but also sparked focus and interest in sports development particularly for young people. One example of this was Zambia hosting the Under-20 Zone VI Youth Games in the same year. The Zambian government continued to invest in sports programs, ensuring to allocate resources that could develop and improve opportunities in sports for young people. In 2023, the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Arts allocated around K125 million ($6.7 million) for sports development which was spread across sports development, regional games management, and support services for youth initiatives. #YouthPower #YouthEngagement #YouthParticipation #WeAreRestless

Taking a look at youth participation for positive change in Zambia at #60YearsYoung! Did you know that in 2020, 30% of all HIV tests conducted in Zambia were attributed to youth-led outreach initiatives and by 2021, more than 70% of young Zambians aged 15-24 reported that they had participated in some form of HIV awareness campaign or educational program. Young people have been a big part of the fight to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS, finding creative ways to bring awareness through music, art, dance, poetry, and so much more. One such young person was Paul Ngozi whose "Matenda Ya AIDS" highlighted the way that the virus swept across the world. Translated as "The Disease of AIDS", the song was a pivotal cultural contribution to Zambia's fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the 1980s and 1990s. Paul Ngozi used his platform to raise awareness about the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS in Zambia. The song carried a message of awareness, prevention, and responsibility. He warned about the consequences of unprotected sex and urged people to take precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones. Paul Ngozi addressed the fear and shame that AIDS carried, encouraging people to avoid discriminating against those living with HIV/AIDS and instead offer support and compassion. His music humanized the issue, calling for empathy and understanding, which was crucial in breaking down the social barriers that prevented many from seeking testing and treatment. Paul Ngozi is believed to have been in his 30s when he released Matenda Ya AIDS. #YouthPower #YouthEngagement #YouthParticipation #WeAreRestless

Taking a look at youth participation for positive change in Zambia at #60YearsYoung! 💪 30 years ago, the 1994 National Youth Policy was developed. It sought to address challenges such as high unemployment rates, limited access to vocational training for young people, and inadequate youth representation in decision-making processes. Through the Ministry of Youth, Sport, and Child Development, the Zambian government engaged young people and youth organisations to assist in the drafting process. Young Zambians played a consultative role in the creation of the policy with many youth organisations, such as the Zambia National Youth Council lobbying for more recognition of youth issues. These organisations gathered input from young people across Zambia, mobilising through youth clubs, civil society organisations, and religious groups to raise awareness about the importance of a comprehensive youth policy. However, over time, it became clear that many of the challenges facing young Zambians were evolving, requiring the policy to be updated to align with Zambia’s evolving development agenda and international frameworks, such as the African Youth Charter and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals #SDGs. In the lead-up to the 2015 amendment, young Zambians actively advocated for changes to the 1994 policy, arguing that the original policy was outdated and did not fully address the contemporary challenges that young people faced, such as digital innovation, economic inclusion, and youth participation in governance. Youth-led organisations like the Zambia Youth Platform and the National Youth Development Council (NYDC) were instrumental in pushing for amendments. They called for greater investment in youth programs and more inclusive decision-making processes. Young people also conducted research and surveys to collect data on the needs and challenges of young Zambians which was presented to policymakers and formed the basis of many recommendations for the policy changes. In 2024, youth participation shined once again when young people banded to provide invaluable input on the renewal of the National Youth Policy which focuses on ensuring that Zambia’s youth demographic of over 60% of the population, is fully integrated into the country’s development agenda. The new policy aims to tackle persistent challenges such as youth unemployment, education disparities, health issues, and climate resilience, while positioning young people as leaders in driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and governance. In 1994, 2015, and 2024, young Zambians played a crucial role in shaping, amending and renewing the National Youth Policy, ensuring that youth voices are heard in addressing key challenges. Learn more about the National Youth Policy by clicking this link https://lnkd.in/d9v6z9-q #YouthPower #YouthEngagement #YouthParticipation #WeAreRestless

#WeAreRestless about #EradicatingPoverty! In partnership with Jersey Overseas Aid, we are implementing the Ulemelero: Live Well project, targeting young women between the ages of 15 and 24 in rural areas across Luapula, Eastern, and Western provinces. This initiative aims to accelerate financial inclusion through digital financial services, focusing primarily on mobile money solutions to uplift marginalized young women economically. Last week, the Ulemelero team completed a successful four-day training program held in the three provinces where 71 Community-Based Facilitators (CBFs) gathered in Mansa, Chipata, and Limulunga to gain knowledge on gender norms and the inequalities that prevent women from participating fully in financial activities. CBFs explored how gender biases affect decision-making and access to resources, reflected on personal biases and cultural norms, and gained the tools to advocate for gender equality in their communities. This vital training is part of our broader effort to challenge barriers that hinder women’s access to financial services. Ulemelero is working to digitize Savings Groups by working with service providers to provide access to modern financial tools and services. The training concluded with a session on Mobile Money Agency work. CBFs were equipped with skills in customer registration, customer education, and facilitation of cash-in/cash-out transactions. This enables them to expand mobile money services in their communities, further strengthening financial inclusion. The three leading mobile network operators— Airtel Zambia PLC, MTN Zambia, and Zamtel —played a key role in facilitating the training, allowing CBFs to connect directly with the agency networks. Together, we are making strides toward empowering communities and creating a more inclusive financial system. #Ulemelero #WeAreRestless #RuralWomen #InternationalDayfortheEradicationofPoverty #RestlessDevelopment

Rural women and girls are often the primary caregivers and stewards of their families and communities. They depend on natural resources not just for their livelihoods, but for their cultural practices and family health as well. However, despite their invaluable contributions, #ruralwomen frequently lack access to resources, decision-making power, and recognition for their efforts in environmental stewardship. Under the She-Soars project implemented in partnership with CARE Zambia, Ministry of Health Zambia, and with support from Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada, we have been working with marginalised groups to challenge social and harmful norms to take away gender and power imbalances in rural communities. One of the challenges women and girls face in rural areas is mobility. To empower more women and girls with information on gender and equality, we purchased bicycles to help women and girls gain better access tools that will enable them to take part in decision-making and influence positive change in the communities. Initiatives aimed at empowering rural women have shown remarkable outcomes, driving both social change and environmental sustainability. Programs such as SHE SOARS focused on gender transformation and the Ulemelero "Live Well" project funded by Jersey Overseas Aid focused on financial inclusion have provided women with access to education, credit, and land rights, enabling them to adopt sustainable practices that enhance biodiversity, build climate resilience, and empower women to stand on their own tow feet. The combined efforts of rural women towards sustaining nature contribute significantly to building climate resilience, conserving biodiversity, and promoting gender equality. Their initiatives not only benefit their communities but also serve as powerful examples of how empowering women can lead to broader environmental and social benefits. As we look to the future, it is crucial to continue supporting these women, amplifying their voices, and recognizing their roles as essential agents of change in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss. By fostering these synergies, we can work towards a sustainable future for all. #RestlessDevelopment #RuralWomen #SRHR4All

🎉 What an inspiring day at the #AUEUYouthLab Kick-off Ceremony 🌍 Ready to dive in? Let’s go 👇🏿 Today, we embarked on an incredible journey, laying the groundwork for young people to #Engage, #Empower and #Connect. 🕒 The day kicked off with networking, workshops, and breakout discussions between youth delegates from the Youth Voices Lab and Youth Action Lab. The morning session set the stage, shaping the high-level conversations that followed. ☕ During the networking breaks, we established meaningful connections, creating new collaborations and generating fresh ideas, celebrating culture through a traditional #ethiopian coffee ceremony. 🎨 One standout moment: Throughout the day, young street artists created an extraordinary graffiti on canvas, symbolizing the collective power of youth. Our Guests of Honour joined in to add the finishing touches - a true celebration of unity and creativity. 🎤 Afternoon highlights featured powerful speeches moderated by Bitania Lulu Berhanu: H.E. Jutta Urpilainen (EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, European Commission) H.E. Nardos Bekele-Thomas (AUDA NEPAD CEO) H.E. Javier Niño Pérez (EU Ambassador to the African Union) Ms. Prudence Ngwenya (AUC Women, Gender and Youth Director) Engineer Wubayehu Mamo - Director General of Abrehot Library H.E. Jutta Urpilainen shared a powerful reminder: "With 1.8 billion young people in the world, but only 2.8% of MPs being young, it's time young people had a seat at the table and their voices heard." We are beyond grateful to everyone who made today a success. Now, it’s time to turn these discussions into meaningful action! #AUEUYouthLab #YouthEmpowerment #AUEUYouthVoicesLab #EngageEmpowerConnect #PoweroftheCollective #AUEU #EuropeAid AUEU Youth Lab

This #InternationalDayofRuralWomen we are reminded of the importance of diverse solutions. Rural women are the backbone of our communities yet their lives are the least and slowest improved by social economic initiatives. At Restless Development, #WeAreRestless about ensuring rural women are included in all innovations that affect them such as quality healthcare solutions, access to sexual health and rights, financial freedom tools, and more. By working with various partners, we push to improve the lives of rural women across the country. #RestlessDevelopment #RuralWomen #SRHR4ALL #FinancialFreedomForWomen