Regional Youth Land Exchange Program Report in Africa 2023

Welcome to the Regional Youth Land Exchange Program in Africa, an event organized by the International Land Coalition (ILC) and the Youth Initiative for Land in Africa (YILAA) from 06 to 10 March 2023 in Benin and Togo. This report captures the key activities and highlights of this enriching five-day program.

Written and reviewed by Chancelvie BODJRENOU and Gloire AMANH

The official launch occurred in Cotonou, Benin, bringing together diverse stakeholders, including ILC awardees, representatives from the TAAT Enable/IITA project, academics, and members of YILAA/BENIN. The program aimed to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing among African youth on land-related issues.

The first day set the tone with an opening ceremony, introducing the Youth and Land Multi-stakeholder Platform in Africa (YLMPA) initiated by institutions such as the African Union, IGAD, LANDESA, ILC, and YILAA. Speakers emphasized the platform’s significance in empowering African youth in land-related decision-making processes.

An interactive session followed, facilitating dialogue among national and regional partners of ILC and YILAA. This session allowed for the exchange of experiences and proposed solutions to the specific challenges faced by African youth regarding land access.

The second day centered around celebrating International Women’s Day, shedding light on land-related challenges faced by women. The third day involved a visit to Togo, providing participants with the opportunity to observe different land practices.

Dr. Gildas Mensah led a participatory mapping training workshop on the second day, guiding participants through various stages of participatory mapping. This knowledge was then applied during a visit to the University of Abomey-Calavi.

The third day focused on an advocacy strategy workshop, followed by a visit to Radio Universe for a program discussing the vital role of women in land management.

The fourth and fifth days were dedicated to a visit to Togo, including visits to the Asramè municipality, the AZONSOUGLE village, and a meeting with the NLC director. This visit allowed participants to observe different land practices and engage in group work to enhance the multi-stakeholder platform.

In conclusion, the program was deemed enriching, with highlights including collaboration between institutions, youth capacity building, leadership development, and the establishment of a strategic action plan for the sustainability of the multi-stakeholder platform. The diversity of activities, ranging from participatory mapping to advocacy strategies, contributed to the overall enrichment of participants. The regional youth land exchange program has successfully provided a platform for learning, sharing experiences, and capacity building, contributing to the establishment of a dynamic regional network to address land challenges in Africa.

Some Pictures

Author: Gloire AMANH