MUNITY SOUTHERN M CO AF T VE N DE LOPM EN CA RI RE REGIONAL STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN IV (2016 - 2020) T U W TO AR D SA C O M MO N FU P3.3 YOUTH INVOLVEMENT The youth comprise well over 50 percent of the population in many SADC countries; they also make up the largest group of the unemployed. The youth are the most energetic, creative and innovative sector of society. Youth involvement in the water sector remains critical for the development of the sector and the region. This is part of the implementation of the SADC Revised Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2015-2020; the SADC Declaration on Youth Development and Empowerment, the SADC Strategy and Business Plan 2015-2020; the Youth Participation and Empowerment for Sustainable Development; and the Africa Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW) Policy and Strategy for Mainstreaming Youth in the Water and Sanitation Sector in Africa. P3.3.1 ESTABLISH AND OPERATIONALISE THE SADC WATER YOUTH NETWORK There is need to establish the SADC Water Youth Network and operationalise it in line with the regional and continental instruments cited above. Activities include organising national workshops or other interventions to establish the National Water Youth Fora / Associations and organising regional workshops or other interventions for the establishment and operationalising of the SADC Water Youth Network. P3.3.2 EFFECTIVE YOUTH PARTICIPATION & COORDINATION There is also need to facilitate effective youth participation and coordination in the SADC water sector. Although the youth have a lot of energy and enthusiasm, there is inadequate requisite experience and their efforts are often uncoordinated. It is therefore imperative that the youth are mentored and appropriate structures are put in place to coordinate their efforts. Activities include: a) facilitating effective involvement of the youth in the implementation of the entire RSAP IV; b) facilitating youth participation in regional water-related decision making processes; and c) creating youth platforms to promote cross-sectoral collaboration to share experiences and best practices. the future of the water sector is important. The youth require appropriate training and mentorship to ensure sustainability of the sector. Activities include: a) conducting needs assessment on capacity development and competencies (link to SADC Human Capacity Development Plan); b) conducting training for youth in the following areas: i. leadership skills; ii. entrepreneurship skills; and iii. planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation skills. c) developing an internship programme in the water sector at the SADC Secretariat and other water related institutions such as RBOs, implementing agencies and the private sector; d) conducting a situation analysis on the extent to which water and sanitation- related issues are incorporated in school curricula in Member States; e) developing a strategy that promotes water as a career option, emphasising on enrolment of girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) programmes at all levels (primary, secondary and tertiary). P3.3.4 INNOVATION, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND EMPLOYMENT CREATION There is need to facilitate youth innovation, entrepreneurship and employment creation. The youth are the most innovative and entrepreneurial in nature, yet they carry the biggest brunt of the unemployed in the SADC region. Activities include: a) developing a framework that guides and promotes youth innovations that address water and sanitation sector related challenges; b) facilitating the development of youth-led bankable pioneering water and sanitation related entrepreneurship projects that address youth unemployment; c) developing a water youth database that provides business information and opportunities; P3.3.3 YOUTH CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT d) establishing a network for water youth and the private sector for youth-led entrepreneurship and employment creation; and There is need to develop youth capacity in the water sector. The development and capacitating of the youth to ensure e) undertaking demonstration projects on the water footprint and value chains. 19 A Vehicle to implement the Water Component of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP)