Youth Civic Engagement and Local Governance

EMPOWER – Strengthening Local Governance Systems through Community Participation

Strong local governance plays a key role in improving everyday outcomes for children, youth, and families. When community members, especially young people, understand their rights and participate actively in local decision-making, village planning becomes more inclusive and responsive to real needs.

ChildFund India’s work on youth civic engagement and local governance focuses on strengthening Panchayat Raj Institutions and enabling youth and communities to participate meaningfully in local development processes. Under this focus area, the EMPOWER program builds the capacity of local institutions and young leaders to support child-centred planning, social inclusion, and community wellbeing.

How communities and youth are supported

Strengthening Panchayat Raj Institutions

PRI members are trained on community development processes, child protection mechanisms, and child-centred planning to support effective village development and governance.

Promoting child protection and service linkages

The program supports the formation of child protection committees and strengthens linkages with district-level health institutions and child development schemes.

Building youth leadership and civic skills

Youth are trained in life skills, leadership, advocacy, public speaking, and managerial skills to prepare them for active civic roles.

Creating youth-led platforms

Youth Resource Centres, youth federations, alumni groups, and youth festivals provide platforms for participation, dialogue, and collective action.

Encouraging youth-led local action

Young people are supported to design and implement local initiatives addressing community priorities such as sanitation, education, health, and climate-related concerns.

What change looks like

20,000+ families reached through governance and community participation initiatives

Increased awareness among youth about civic rights and responsibilities

Greater youth participation in local decision-making processes

Reduced social discrimination related to caste and gender in participating communities

Improved awareness among women on issues such as breastfeeding, early childhood development, and women’s health

Stronger local health services and improved community health indicators

Where the program works:

Currently implemented in Pune, Sultanpur, Ananthpur, Kendrapara, Raichur, and Delhi
Previously implemented across districts including Tirupati, Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada, Nagapattinam, Nilgiris, Jhabua, Dhar, Firozabad, Kaushambi, Chanduli, Gogunda, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jamui, Bastar, Daltonganj, Deoghar, Kalahandi, Keonjhar, Malkangiri, and Nuapada