More about LIVE-EX: Empowering Youth for a Sustainable Future

The LIVE-EX project is designed to empower young people across Sub-Saharan Africa by providing essential digital and advocacy skills. aiming to bridge the digital divide and promote climate justice by challenging and dismantling colonial legacies and power structures.

LIVE-EX stands for Living Earth Exchange, a project that strives to address the digital and environmental  challenges faced by young people in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

The primary aims and objectives of the project include:

Digital Inclusion: To provide young people with the digital skills and access necessary to participate fully in today’s interconnected world. This includes overcoming barriers such as inadequate ICT infrastructure and high costs of internet services.

Climate Justice: To educate and engage youth on the impacts of climate colonialism and to empower them to advocate for climate justice. The project focuses on creating awareness and driving actions that contribute to sustainable and equitable environmental practices.

Capacity Building: To enhance the capabilities of youth organizations in the region, enabling them to support and mentor young people effectively. This includes training youth workers in virtual volunteering and hybrid project management.

Intercultural Dialogue: To foster intercultural understanding and cooperation among young people from different backgrounds through virtual exchanges and collaborative community actions.

Youth Empowerment: To support young people in developing critical thinking skills, active citizenship, and global competence, ultimately improving their employability and ability to contribute to their communities.

The partners bring a wealth of experience in international voluntary service and community development. The consortium includes the following countries; if you are from one of these countries, please contact the organisations to find out about how you can become involved!

Kenya:

International Cultural Youth Exchange (ICYE Kenya)

Runs virtual exchange programs and places volunteers in community projects, fostering intercultural interactions.

Malawi:

   – Community Forum (COFO)

Actively involved in virtual exchanges and climate change advocacy, promoting youth engagement and education.

Mozambique:

   – Associacao Juvenil Para o Desenvolvimento do Voluntariado em Moçambique (AJUDE)

Works on digital access and intercultural exchange, promoting environmental awareness among local youth.

Nigeria:

   – International Christian Youth Exchange (ICYE Nigeria)

Engaged in virtual exchanges and Erasmus+ projects, focusing on diversity, equality, and sustainable development.

South Africa:

   – South Africa Volunteer Work Camp Association (SAVWA)

Focuses on the inclusion of disadvantaged communities and environmental actions, including managing community garden projects.

Tanzania:

   – United Planet Tanzania (ICYE Tanzania)

Introduced virtual exchange programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on various volunteer tasks, including marketing and social media.

Togo:

l’Asociation Togolaise des Volontaires au Travail (Astovot)

Promotes peace and improved living conditions through initiatives in education, environment, socioculture, and health.

Zimbabwe:

   – Zimbabwe Workcamps Association (ZWA)

A leading organization in the African volunteer network, with strong local youth engagement and virtual exchange experience.

Also check: Who is Who?

The LIVE-EX project aims to achieve significant and lasting impacts for both the participants and their communities. The intended outcomes include:

Enhanced Digital Skills: Thousands of young people will gain critical digital competencies, enabling them to access educational and employment opportunities that were previously out of reach.

Increased Awareness and Advocacy: Participants will become well-versed in climate justice issues, equipped to advocate for sustainable practices and influence policy at local, national, and international levels.

Strengthened Youth Organisations: Partner organisations will improve their capacity to support and mentor young people, ensuring the sustainability and scalability of their initiatives.

Intercultural Understanding: Through virtual exchanges, young people will develop a deeper appreciation for diverse cultures and perspectives, fostering global solidarity and cooperation.

Community Actions: Small teams of young people will implement local community actions, directly addressing social and environmental challenges and creating tangible improvements in their communities.

Youth Leadership: By engaging in decision-making structures and advocacy activities, young people will take on leadership roles within their communities and organisations.