MAAN Development Center has completed the implementation of a series of youth-led community initiatives as part of the Youth and Adolescents Protection and Empowerment Project, funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The initiatives aimed to strengthen youth participation in community work and respond to humanitarian needs in local communities, amid the complex humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.
Over the past month, 60 fully youth-led community initiatives were completed. Young people were responsible for designing, planning, and implementing the initiatives, showing a strong level of leadership, initiative, and responsibility toward their communities.
The initiatives reached more than 6,500 direct beneficiaries, including women, men, children, and adolescents, across all targeted areas in the Gaza Strip.
A total of 628 young participants from active youth groups in all governorates took part in implementing the initiatives, reflecting a strong spirit of volunteerism. Young women played a key role in leading and carrying out activities, helping to promote gender equality and real empowerment of girls.
The initiatives were implemented in some of the most affected areas in Khan Younis, the Central Governorate, and Gaza Governorate. They covered several vital sectors, including education, protection, psychosocial support, food security, water, sanitation, and hygiene, among others.
Awareness on sexual and reproductive health was systematically integrated into all initiatives as a core component, through direct awareness sessions and the distribution of educational materials, ensuring safe and accurate information reached different community groups in a way that respects privacy and cultural context.
Many participating youth expressed feelings of satisfaction, belonging, and motivation to continue community work, noting that the experience increased their confidence in their ability to create real and positive change in their communities.
These youth-led community initiatives represent a practical model for investing in young people’s potential—not only as beneficiaries of programs, but as leaders and active partners in humanitarian response—reflecting the vision of the Youth and Adolescents Protection and Empowerment Project to strengthen the role of youth in society.
