Who We Are

We are a leading youth-led, non-profit, and non-governmental organization, founded in 2002 to respond to the growing socio-political and economic challenges facing young people in Cameroon — including unemployment, bad governance, gender-based violence, limited access to quality education, poverty, corruption, and exclusion from decision-making processes.

These challenges serve as both push and pull factors that drive youth radicalization, involvement in crime, and participation in violent conflict.

Our Focus

Through our offices across Cameroon, we promote the empowerment of young people aged 15–35 — both male and female — in the areas of:

Sustainable Development
Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention
Countering Violent Extremism (CVE)
Humanitarian Response

In 2022, LOYOC expanded its engagement into Chad and Niger, working alongside partner organizations to strengthen regional collaboration.

Our approach is rooted in the Positive Youth Development (PYD) framework, which emphasizes strengthening young people’s assets and skills, increasing their sense of agency, expanding opportunities for meaningful contributions, and creating enabling environments for their growth.

Our Impact

Since our founding in 2002:

We have implemented over 700 youth development projects.
Reached more than 4 million young people across Cameroon and beyond.
Partnered with over 200 national and international organizations, including:
UNDP, UNESCO, IOM, UNICEF, the Commonwealth, the World Bank, the African Union, the European Union, and various diplomatic missions.

LOYOC’s work has earned national and international recognition, including:
🏆 Luxembourg Peace Prize
🏆 Commonwealth Youth Award for Excellence in Development Work
🏆 Best Youth-Led Peacebuilding Organization (Ministry of Youth Affairs)
🏆 Best COVID-19 Response Organization in Cameroon

Our Areas of Operation

Our work is coordinated from the Head Office in Yaoundé, with active field offices across:

Yaoundé – Centre, South, and East Regions
Maroua – Far North, North, and Adamawa Regions
Buea – South West, Littoral Regions
Bamenda – North West, and West Regions

Our Mission, Vision, and Goal

Mission

To support youth empowerment and participation in peacebuilding, prevent violent extremism, and advance sustainable development to ensure peaceful communities.

Vision

To build a future where young people are respected and engaged as key partners in creating a peaceful, prosperous, and violence-free society.

Goal

To strengthen collaboration between youth, development stakeholders, and government institutions at all levels, working together for sustainable peace and development in Cameroon.