Biombo, Guinea-Bissau - The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Guinea-Bissau has taken a significant step towards strengthening the voice of youth in the national political sphere. From 20 to 22 May 2025, UNFPA supported three intensive working sessions with Youth Political Party Organisations, culminating in a decisive push for the institutionalisation of the National Forum of Youth Political Party Organisations.
This important initiative is part of the ‘Political Stabilisation and Reform Project through Confidence Building and Political Dialogue’, a strategic intervention funded by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), which took place in the Biombo region, with 27 Political Party Organisations participating.
Strengthening the Foundations for Politically Active Youth
With the primary objective of strengthening the informed, inclusive and effective political participation of youth in Guinea-Bissau, UNFPA has been catalysing efforts to create robust platforms that enable young people to exercise their citizenship to the full. The institutionalisation of the National Forum of Youth Political Party Organisations is a crucial milestone in this process. Recognising the vital role of youth in building a peaceful and democratic future, this initiative aims to contribute to a more stable political environment conducive to sustainable development in Guinea-Bissau.
The project, financially supported by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), emphasises the importance of including young people in decision-making processes and peacebuilding. UNFPA, in line with its mandates to promote the rights of young people, gender equality and the meaningful participation of young people in decisions that directly affect their lives, provided essential technical and programme support for the success of this initiative. The formalisation of the Forum is seen as a pillar for its action and recognition, allowing youth voices to be heard in a coordinated and impactful way.
Training and Strategies for Youth Empowerment
The three intensive working sessions were meticulously structured to address key aspects of formalising and empowering the Forum. First, the Forum's General Assembly was held, a crucial moment for establishing the organisation's legal foundations. With expert legal guidance, the minutes of incorporation were drawn up and concrete steps were taken in the process of legalising the Forum, ensuring its legitimacy and sustainability.
Subsequently, activities centred on building the capacities of youth political party leaders. The focus was on developing skills for constructive political dialogue and outlining a common strategy for youth political participation. The aim was to empower young leaders with the tools to effectively advocate for their causes and positively influence public policies. Rounding off the programme, a particular effort was devoted to supporting young and female leaders in civil society. The aim was to actively promote the political participation of women and young people, seeking synergies and alignment with the common agenda of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), with particular attention to initiatives that ensure that the voices of young women are amplified in decision-making spaces.
By supporting the institutionalisation of the Forum of Youth Political Party Organisations, UNFPA and its partners, including PBF, reaffirm their commitment to empowering Guinean youth, recognising them as a key player in consolidating peace, promoting democracy and building a more prosperous and inclusive future for Guinea-Bissau. The hope is that a strengthened and legally constituted Forum can serve as a robust platform for inter-party youth dialogue and the promotion of a culture of active and informed civic and political participation among the country's young people.
