Youth to Youth Initiative
From youth to youth
Half of the world’s population is younger than 25. Young people in developing countries are particularly vulnerable.This age group is more at risk of becoming infected with HIV and early unwanted pregnancy is the leading cause of death among young women aged 15-19. Most young people in developing countries lack what we and our children take for granted: sexual and reproductive health education and access to contraceptives.
In order to combat these problems, the German Foundation for World Population (DSW) has developed its "Youth-to-Youth", or Y2Y Initiative, in which young people become agents of change.
We know from experience that awareness raising works best when young people are informed by their peers. And it is this simple conclusion, that is the core of the "Youth-to-Youth" concept which is now operational in DSW’s successful Youth programme in four African countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
Please view our funding guidelines here.
The approach
DSW trains young people as peer educators, who then pass on their knowledge to their peers and act as role models. Higher quality learning resources are provided in the form of DSW’s own educational materials and intensive training. In order to reach as many young people as possible, DSW supports the establishment of youth clubs. There the adolescents receive information on sexuality and contraception and they also have the opportunity to play an active role themselves: as peer educators, as club leaders or in music and theatre groups.
Y2Y is built on principles of active participation, gender equity, respect of local cultural, traditional and religious values, dynamism, utilising existing resources and flexibility.
Unlike in many other sexual education programmes, young people take the lead in all stages of programme design, implementation and monitoring.
Although the specific implementation of activities varies from country to country and region to region, the activities themselves are uniformly designed. They include:
• Peer Education
• Hotline
• Information & Referrals
• Income Generating Activities
• Mass Edutainment
• Social Marketing
• IEC Materials
• Advocacy
The Y2Y Initiative is unique in that it is highly replicable, sustainable and adaptable. DSW’s Y2Y Initiative has led to the formation and support of over 1,000 youth clubs, with over 30,000 members, reaching millions of young people.
For further information, please visit the Y2Y web site www.youth-to-youth.org.
Half of the world’s population is younger than 25. Young people in developing countries are particularly vulnerable.This age group is more at risk of becoming infected with HIV and early unwanted pregnancy is the leading cause of death among young women aged 15-19. Most young people in developing countries lack what we and our children take for granted: sexual and reproductive health education and access to contraceptives.
In order to combat these problems, the German Foundation for World Population (DSW) has developed its "Youth-to-Youth", or Y2Y Initiative, in which young people become agents of change. We know from experience that awareness raising works best when young people are informed by their peers. And it is this simple conclusion, that is the core of the "Youth-to-Youth" concept which is now operational in DSW’s successful Youth programme in four African countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
Please view our funding guidelines here.
The approach
DSW trains young people as peer educators, who then pass on their knowledge to their peers and act as role models. Higher quality learning resources are provided in the form of DSW’s own educational materials and intensive training. In order to reach as many young people as possible, DSW supports the establishment of youth clubs. There the adolescents receive information on sexuality and contraception and they also have the opportunity to play an active role themselves: as peer educators, as club leaders or in music and theatre groups.
Y2Y is built on principles of active participation, gender equity, respect of local cultural, traditional and religious values, dynamism, utilising existing resources and flexibility.
Unlike in many other sexual education programmes, young people take the lead in all stages of programme design, implementation and monitoring.
Although the specific implementation of activities varies from country to country and region to region, the activities themselves are uniformly designed. They include:
• Peer Education
• Hotline
• Information & Referrals
• Income Generating Activities
• Mass Edutainment
• Social Marketing
• IEC Materials
• Advocacy
The Y2Y Initiative is unique in that it is highly replicable, sustainable and adaptable. DSW’s Y2Y Initiative has led to the formation and support of over 1,000 youth clubs, with over 30,000 members, reaching millions of young people.
For further information, please visit the Y2Y web site www.youth-to-youth.org.
