DRL: Youth Engaged in Democratic Processes for Community-Driven Change

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for projects that empower young people to engage in democratic processes to ensure their voices and interests are represented. DRL’s goal for the Maldives is to increase youth inclusion and participation in policy decisions at all levels of government by empowering youth to become agents of positive social change within their own communities. The bureau seeks proposals that strengthen young people’s knowledge of basic principles of leadership, transparency, accountability, inclusivity, and civic participation, and how they can use these principles to engage more fully with their local governments and communities. The program objectives are: 1) youth and youth-led organizations have increased leadership skills and strengthened networks to engage more meaningfully in decision making processes and implementation of policies that impact youth and their communities; and 2) youth and youth-led organizations are empowered to advance and protect fundamental freedoms acting as catalysts to increase awareness of governance issues among young people and other community members.