Local Youth Corner Cameroon, in collaboration with Search for Common Ground, hosted a four-day training for youth leaders from youth-led organizations (for a total of 60 trained leaders). This training was organized in line with the Youth Organizations’ Upraised Network for Growth and Peace project funded by the European Union and implemented in collaboration with the Cameroonian Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civique Education. The Common Ground Approach Training was held for two days, convening 30 youth participants and 10 focal points from the Office of YPS in the Regional Delegation of Youth Affairs. The Common Ground Approach to Advocacy was held for the next 2 days, where participants got to learn about advocacy strategies.

The Youth Organizations’ Upraised Network for Growth and Peace project is an initiative with the overall goal of increasing young people’s contribution to and leadership in peacebuilding processes in Cameroon. It adopts a phased approach guided by Search’s Youth 360 model for youth empowerment, consisting of capacity strengthening, coalition building, and finally joint YPS initiatives. In line with the EU’s global mandate, the proposed action seeks to strengthen local youth organizations’ engagement as actors of governance and social cohesion in Cameroon and to strengthen their participation and leadership in policy dialogue.

This residential training was held in Yaounde at the Mbolo Hotel from the 13th to the 16th of December 2023. With the help of the Common Ground approach training, participants from the 10 regions of Cameroon had opportunities to openly discuss and confront stereotypes they may have about one another to establish a culture of cohesiveness and understanding amongst the organizations. It was equally an opportunity for government buy-in for the youth’s work and will demonstrate the coalition’s commitment to non-adversarial and constructive approaches to building change. . The CGA for Advocacy Training created a platform for participants to acquire and enhance skills to carry out effective advocacy in conflict-hit zones in Cameroon, leveraging the principles of the CGA (diversity, empathy, and dignity) to promote non-adversarial approaches to advocacy.

This training was a very particular one for me; it helped me to realize that no matter what difference in mindsets, backgrounds, and cultures we have, we can reason together and work towards achieving a common goal of achieving peace, and I did not know that proper advocacy needed an in-depth understanding of the target group. Thank you for this training; more young people need this knowledge, says Michelele, HULDA, South Region of Cameroon. After 4 days of training, participants attest to having gained valuable skills in conflict resolution and effective communication, which they believe will greatly contribute to their ability to advocate for positive change in their communities. They also express a desire for more opportunities to further develop these skills and continue promoting non-adversarial approaches to advocacy.