Outcome Presentations of the VOYCE Project

Strengthening Youth Voices for Peace

As part of the final phase of the Voices of Youth in Cameroon for Peace (VOYCE) project, WAA Cameroon and its partners hosted a series of outcome presentation meetings in three regions - the South West Region (Buea), the North West Region (Bamenda) and the Center Region (Yaoundé). These meetings, held between March and April 2025, provided a platform to assess the impact of the project, share key lessons learned, and gather recommendations for future peacebuilding initiatives.

Engaging stakeholders for lasting impact.

Each meeting brought together 30 participants, including youth leaders, representatives of civil society organisations, traditional and religious authorities, government officials and members of the media. The discussions aimed to

• Assess the impact of the project on stakeholders and communities.

• Identify best practices and lessons learned.

• Gather recommendations for future peacebuilding interventions.

At the center of the VOYCE project was a focus on empowering young people as active peacebuilders. Through various initiatives, the project successfully promoted dialogue, economic empowerment and social cohesion.

Key achievements of the VOYCE project.

The project achieved significant results, including:

- Economic empowerment: 150 young people received support for income-generating activities (IGA), providing alternatives to violence and instability.

- Think Tank Clubs for Peace: 45 Think Tank Clubs were established, engaging over 450 members in meaningful discussions and initiatives. These clubs led to 18 community-driven peace initiatives.

- Peace Education and Awareness:

• 300 youth were trained in peace skills.

• 35 schools benefited from awareness campaigns.

• 3 media tours reinforced the project's message.

• An animated peacebuilding video was premiered to 60 participants.

- Intergenerational dialogue: 100 leaders participated in discussions aimed at bridging the gap between youth and elders, resulting in 10 action plans for sustainable peace efforts.

Challenges and lessons learned.

Despite its successes, the project faced challenges such as financial constraints, security risks and administrative bottlenecks. But it also provided valuable lessons which include:

- The role of "invisible" peacebuilders: People who were not directly involved in the project nevertheless absorbed its message, whether through advocacy materials or interactions with trained peers.

• Community ownership is key: Sustainable peace can only be achieved when the entire community embraces and takes ownership of initiatives.

• Informal peace talks are important: Beyond formal training, kitchen-table discussions and everyday interactions played a critical role in spreading peace awareness.

Recommendations for future interventions.

Based on feedback from participants, WAA Cameroon and its partners identified critical areas for future peace initiatives:

• Expanding engagement with Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) communities in the North Region.

• Targeting IDPs in urban areas as peace ambassadors.

• Strengthen IGAs through partnerships with vocational training centres.

• Improve representation of ethnic minorities and persons with disabilities.

• Integrating discussions on civic education and political participation.

• Developing youth-friendly policies through advocacy-based projects.

• Using cultural activities such as sports and competitions to promote social cohesion.

Moving forward.

The VOYCE project has demonstrated that, with the right support, youth-led peace initiatives can bring about concrete change. As WAA Cameroon looks to the future, these lessons and recommendations will serve as a foundation for scaling up future programs.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all stakeholders, beneficiaries and partners who contributed to the success of this project. Together, we continue to build a more peaceful and inclusive Cameroon.