“Our passion for building a gender-just world drives us forward, even in the face of adversity.”

Youth Engage, a knowledge sharing platform for diverse young people from the RHRN2 and PTY programs, held its final session of 2024 and reflected on what sustainability looked like for youth movements and structures. This reflective gathering, led by Mumina from Right Here Right Now Kenya and Rafiatou from Power to Youth Ghana, centered on exploring practical strategies to build resilience, secure funding, adapt to shifting priorities, and ensure the long-term impact of youth-led initiatives in advancing adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health and rights (AYSRHR). 

The session was more than just a reflection on the journey of Youth Engage and its young people; it was an opportunity to reflect on how best we can preserve our wins and what is next for us after 2025. We asked critical questions such as; 

• How best can we achieve our vision for youth movements? 

• How can youth movements remain relevant in the face of shifting priorities?

• How do we ensure the impactful work in AYSRHR continues despite challenges?

Youth Engage did not shy away from hard truths such as sustainability not always being easy and the reality of shifting priorities and rocky funding landscapes. Despite these hard truths and realities, Youth Engage remains optimistic and chooses to focus on strategies such as mutual capacity building in key areas such as proposal writing, and fundraising , documentation, becoming adaptable and creating allyships with local governments and exploring current priority areas like climate change that intersect with AYSRHR.   

 Participants also addressed challenges such as burnout, resource constraints, and opposition towards AYSRHR and youth centered initiatives. These obstacles, while significant, were framed as opportunities to innovate and grow. As one member noted, “Our passion for building a gender-just world drives us forward, even in the face of adversity.” The session highlighted what young people value most in sustainability: 

• Credibility

• Recognition for their work

• Impactful partnerships

• Flexible funding

• The chance to make a meaningful difference. 

When asked what sustainability means to them, they spoke of resilience, success, consistent effort, and long-term impact. 

As Youth Engage prepares to enter its final year of implementation, these reflections provide a clear roadmap for the future. The insights gained from this session will guide efforts to ensure the movement’s legacy endures. Every end marks a new beginning, and Youth Engage’s work is far from over—it’s evolving.

Mumina Mohamednur (Youth Country Coordinator, CSA Kenya)