LEAP Africa, DOW Launch Volunteer Partnership for Sustainable Development Across Africa

Pan African civic society and the private sector have launched a Pan African youth volunteer scheme for African youth to drive social impact.

Development organization LEAP Africa has partnered with material science manufacturer DOW Africa to unveil the fourth edition of the Youth Day of Service (YDoS), a Pan-African youth-led social impact campaign.

The month-long event aims to engage 7000 youths in volunteerism and community service to help promote achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the previous three years, it has impacted a population of 6 million individuals in 24 African countries and completed 600 SDGs projects.

Speaking at the unveiling announcement in Nairobi, LEAP Africa Executive Director Kehinde Ayeni said that the event will bring together youth and high-level stakeholders from relevant industries across Africa through community activations from August 12-31, 2023.

“One of our strategic pillars at LEAP Africa is to raise talents for the actualization of the SDGs. This campaign is a demonstration of our commitment to youth-led actions for Sustainable Development across Africa. We believe in the power, voices, numbers and agency of young people coupled with engagement platforms to retool youth with the skills that can shape SDGs implementation across the continent. We are fostering partnerships to bring the achievement of the goals closer.”

Attaining the SDGs is more critical for the African continent than any other region in the world.  According to the United Nations, 70% of Africa’s population, or 1.2 billion people, are under the age of 30.

DOW Africa Public Affairs Lead-Africa Mumbi Keega said:  “Dow is committed to fostering positive change and building resilient and sustainable communities in Africa. We believe that this can only be achieved by working together with the African youth, who are vital to promoting social welfare. Through our partnership with LEAP Africa, we are supporting the Youth Day of Service (YDoS) initiative, which empowers young people to use their skills and talents to make a difference in their communities. We are proud to be a part of YDoS and to support the next generation of African leaders who are working to create a more sustainable and equitable future for all.”

This year, LEAP Africa will be leveraging the support of strategic partners like ChildFund International, Emerging Leaders Foundation, BellaNaija, Forgotten Bottom Millions, Legit, Zikoko Citizen, W4 Immerse, Dotts Media, African Climate Reality Project, Strategic Youth Network for Development Ghana, Youth Development Organization Zambia and Global Shapers Community, among others,  in delivering the Youth Day of Service.