The Zimbabwe Youth Council (ZYC) has introduced reforms aimed at strengthening accountability, representation and transparency among youth organisations seeking national recognition.
Addressing the media at the ZYC head offices, yesterday, Board Chairperson, Rutendo Mugwagwa, said the reforms followed extensive consultations with National Youth Associations as the Council moves to improve the effectiveness of youth representation and ensure that registered organisations genuinely reflect the interests of young people at grassroots level.
“The new framework would require youth organisations applying for national registration to demonstrate that they have established structures from the ward level up to the national executive,” Mugwagwa noted.
She said the requirement was aimed at eliminating cases where organisations claim national representation without having a presence or active membership structures across communities.
“Going forward, any association seeking national registration must demonstrate functional structures from ward level through district and provincial levels up to the national,” said Mugwagwa.
She said the Council wanted to ensure that youth organisations recognised at national level were genuinely connected to young people in different parts of the country and were capable of effectively representing their interests.
“The intention behind this is to ensure that organisations claiming national status genuinely represent young people across the country and are rooted in local communities,” she said.
Mugwagwa said the reforms were part of broader efforts to reposition the Zimbabwe Youth Council as an institution that promotes meaningful youth participation, accountability and inclusive development.
“The Council had engaged National Youth Associations during consultations to gather their views and build consensus around the strategic changes.
The reforms followed consultations with the National Youth Associations on the organisation’s strategic direction,” Mugwagwa added.
The ZYC Board Chairperson also announced measures aimed at improving communication and transparency between the Council and youth organisations through regular engagement with the media.
She said the Board had resolved to hold media briefings after every board meeting to provide updates on decisions, programmes and developments within the organisation.
“Accountability must be mutual. The Council should remain as informed of its associations’ work as they are of its own.
Improved communication would strengthen trust between the Council, youth associations and other stakeholders involved in youth development,” she added.
The Zimbabwe Youth Council is mandated to coordinate youth participation, promote youth empowerment initiatives and facilitate engagement between young people and Government.
The latest reforms are expected to enhance governance within youth organisations and strengthen structures that support youth representation across Zimbabwe.
