YOUTH as COMMUNITY RIGHTS DEFENDERS (YCRD)

The Youth as Community Rights Defenders (YCRD) Project is an initiative of Safe Space Development Foundation (SHADEF), supported by Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF). The project seeks to educate and equip young people from oil-affected communities in Akwa Ibom State with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to promote environmental protection, community rights, justice, and sustainable development.

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About the Project

Young people are critical stakeholders in the future of their communities. Yet, many youths living in oil-producing and oil-affected areas lack access to the knowledge and opportunities needed to effectively participate in decisions that affect their environment and livelihoods.

The Youth as Community Rights Defenders (YCRD) Project addresses this gap by building the capacity of young people to understand environmental issues, community rights, and sustainable development. Through structured training, advocacy dialogues, and community engagement activities, participants develop the skills needed to influence positive change within their communities.

The project promotes youth participation in governance, environmental protection, and community development while fostering a culture of accountability, civic engagement, and collective action.

Through a combination of environmental education, leadership development, advocacy, and community engagement, YCRD empowers youths to become informed and active defenders of their communities. Using the NDAC and NSAC tools, participants are equipped to identify local challenges, engage stakeholders, advocate for environmental justice, and contribute meaningfully to community development processes.

Empowering Young People to Defend Their Communities

Project Pillars

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Environmental Justice Education

We provide participants with practical knowledge on environmental protection, oil pollution impacts, environmental justice, community rights, and sustainable development. Through interactive learning experiences, young people gain a deeper understanding of how environmental challenges affect their communities and what actions can be taken to address them.

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Community Engagement

The project encourages active participation in community discussions, development initiatives, and collaborative actions that address local environmental and social concerns. Participants learn how to engage effectively with community leaders, stakeholders, and institutions to drive positive change.

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Youth Leadership

YCRD develops confident and informed youth leaders who can mobilize their peers, facilitate dialogue, organize community actions, and champion environmental and social justice within their communities.

Key Activities

Educative Sessions

Interactive learning sessions focused on environmental protection, environmental justice, community rights, sustainable development, and the impacts of oil-related activities on local communities.

Advocacy Dialogues

Community-based dialogues and engagements that provide opportunities for young people to interact with stakeholders, raise concerns, promote accountability, and advocate for environmental protection and community development.

Leadership Development Workshops

Training and mentorship activities designed to strengthen leadership, communication, critical thinking, advocacy, and community organizing skills among participants.

Community Action Initiatives

Youth-led activities that promote environmental stewardship, awareness creation, civic participation, and collective action in addressing local environmental and developmental challenges.

Expected Outcomes

Increased environmental awareness among young people in oil-affected communities.
Improved leadership, advocacy, and community engagement skills.
Greater youth participation in community development and decision-making processes.
Stronger understanding of environmental rights, community rights, and justice issues.
Emergence of a network of youth advocates actively promoting sustainable development and environmental protection.
Improved collaboration between youths, community leaders, civil society organizations, and relevant stakeholders.

Targets

Train and equip 200 youths across four oil-affected communities in Akwa Ibom State.
Build a strong network of young community rights defenders.
Increase youth participation in environmental governance and community development discussions.
Promote the effective use of NDAC and NSAC tools for community advocacy and engagement.
Inspire young people to actively defend their communities against environmental degradation and oil-related hazards.
Strengthen community awareness and collective action for environmental justice and sustainable development.