WHAT
WE DO
We empower young people socially, economically, and politically to become active citizens who advocate for their rights, drive social change, create sustainable livelihoods, and contribute to decision-making processes at all levels.
OUR SIX STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS.
YEFL-Ghana’s overall objective for our programmatic work is to:
Empower young people socially, economically, and politically to become active citizens who advocate for their rights, drive social change, create sustainable livelihoods, and contribute to decision-making processes at all levels.
The objective is operationalized through our 6 strategic focus areas.
Savannah Region
Northern
Region
Ghana / National
North East
Region
WHERE
WE WORK.
Upper East
Region
Upper West
Region
STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA 1
Youth Entrepreneurship & Employment
Empowering young innovators for sustainable livelihoods
Objective: Equip young people with entrepreneurial skills, mentorship, and access to finance so they can create jobs, sustain businesses, and build brighter futures.
YEFL Ghana equips young people with the skills, mentorship, and opportunities they need to become entrepreneurs and job creators. Through training, business coaching, and entrepreneurship bootcamps hubs, we facilitate youth turn creative ideas into thriving enterprises.
We promote access to finance, technical and vocational training, and linkages to markets—especially for rural youth and young women. Our goal is a generation of creative, innovative, self-reliant, and economically empowered young leaders driving inclusive growth in Ghana.
STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA 2
Youth Mobilazation
for Change
Organizing youth power
for collective action
Objective: Strengthen youth voices and agency by creating safe spaces and networks where young people organize, collaborate, and influence policies that matter to them.
We believe that change begins when young people come together. YEFL-Ghana facilitate the creation of safe and inclusive spaces—like youth centres, networks, and hubs—where young people connect, learn, and take self-initiated actions.
Through regional and district youth networks and hubs, we strengthen youth organizing voices and civic participation, enabling young people to advocate for their rights, influence decisions, and hold duty bearers accountable. Together, youth are shaping fairer, more responsive communities.
We have strong and independently working regional youth networks in Northern Region, Savannah Region and North-East Region.
STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA 3
Youth in Climate Awareness and resolience Building
Youth leading climate action
for a sustainable future
Objective: Foster a generation of climate-conscious youth who innovate local solutions, adapt to climate challenges, and actively shape national and global climate agendas.
Climate change poses real threats to livelihoods, especially in Northern Ghana. YEFL Ghana equips young people with the knowledge, skills, and tools to respond effectively and lead in climate action.
Through initiatives such as the Youth Climate Activist Program (CAP), the Youth Environmental Brigades (YEBs), our network of Climate Reporters and promotion of energy saving stoves, we empower young people to tell their climate stories, design local solutions, and influence national and global climate policies.
We also promote eco-entrepreneurship and green innovation, helping youth turn environmental challenges into opportunities for sustainable businesses. By building resilience and awareness, YEFL Ghana is shaping a generation of climate-smart leaders ready to protect the planet.
STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA 4
Youth Voice and Civic Engagements
Youth Speak Up!
Objective: Enhance youth capacity to share their stories, engage decision-makers, and hold leaders accountable through media, community journalism, and digital platforms.
Every young person has a story and a right to be heard. YEFL-Ghana empowers youth to raise their voices, share their stories, and engage directly with decision-makers to influence change. Through training in community journalism, storytelling, digital media, and advocacy, we help young people speak truth to power and address issues affecting their lives and communities.
From grassroots campaigns to national dialogues, YEFL-Ghana promotes youth-led civic participation and accountability. Our programs build confidence and communication skills, creating a generation of young people who can advocate effectively for justice, inclusion, and good governance.
A strong example is our Youth Speak Up project — a flagship initiative that equips young people with communication, advocacy, and leadership skills to amplify their voices in public discourse. Through mentorship, media engagement, and policy dialogues, participants have influenced local decision-making, held duty bearers accountable, and inspired other youth to speak up for their rights.
STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA 5
Youth in Peace
& Security
Empowered youth,
peaceful communities
Objective: Promote peace and inclusion by equipping young people with the skills, platforms, and leadership opportunities to prevent conflict and foster unity in diverse communities.
Peaceful and inclusive societies start with empowered youth. YEFL-Ghana works to equip young people with the skills, knowledge, and leadership to prevent violence, foster understanding, and strengthen social cohesion within their communities.
Through training in dialogue, advocacy, and conflict resolution, youth become peacebuilders who bridge divides and address the root causes of conflict. We prioritize the inclusion of marginalized and minority groups, ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of peace.
A strong example is the Fulbe Youth Advocacy Group (FUYAG) in the Upper East Region. Supported by YEFL-Ghana, Fulbe youth have used dialogue and civic engagement to challenge discrimination, promote inclusion in cattle trading, and build trust with traditional authorities and community leaders. Their work has reduced tensions, fostered understanding, and created new opportunities for peaceful coexistence.
STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA 6
Arts, Cultural Exchange & Sports for Development
Creativity that connects
and transforms
Objective: Arts, culture, and sports are powerful vehicles for social change and youth empowerment. YEFL-Ghana supports young artists, creatives, and athletes to use their talents to inspire transformation and inclusion.
Through our Art of Change initiative and cultural exchange programs, we help youth use art to tackle issues like gender inequality, climate change, and peacebuilding. We also promote sports as a tool for teamwork, tolerance, and personal growth.
By connecting creativity with social purpose, YEFL-Ghana fosters cross-cultural understanding, celebrates diversity, and empowers youth to lead change in their communities — one performance, exchange, or match at a time.