Network Support
Capacity Building
Network Support
To find creative solutions to close the skills gap between desired and current skills within the Network, capacity building is crucial. Capacity Building fills in some of the skills gaps found through mobilizing and campaigns. Capacity Building has two main objectives:
1. To equip the network with the knowledge, information, skills and resources to carry out meaningful interventions that address socio-economic issues affecting young people at the grass root level.
2. To provide continuous support through resourcing, training and coaching on financial literacy, stakeholder engagement and employment readiness and linkages to key role players.
The programme has four main elements:
Workshops
Capacity Building initiated workshops that focus on financial literacy, business skills and coaching, stakeholder engagements and ad-hoc skill needs.
Resourcing
Providing resources aligned to financial literacy, business skills, stakeholder engagement and ad-hoc Activator needs.
A! Classifieds
Employment opportunities publication, employment readiness WhatsApp webinar and career development guide/publication.
Thought Leaders
Bringing in industry experts to share insights and knowledge.
Revised strategy
Key Areas of Focus
A! Compliance Training
Agricultural Sector
Agriculture plays a chiefly role in the economy of South Africa. We have many Activators living in townships and rural spaces who are passionate farmers. The main role of the sector is for Activators to share information, collaborate, share opportunities and support each other the best way they know how. It is also to change the negative stigma and attitude within young people about agriculture and raise awareness on the importance of food security amd overcoming poverty.
Arts and Culture Sector
A few of the key things that the Activators in this sector aim to do is to identify the state of the sector in South Africa and its contribution to local and economic development. The sector aims to identify and conceptualize youth developmental needs in the arts and to determine the role and extent of youth involvement in the programme.
Key Achievements
- Produced A! Policy Newsletter to inform Activators about assented Acts, bills that are under consideration and those that are up for comment. Activators have increased their knowledge of key parliamentary processes and bills and acts of parliament, such as The Climate Change Bill, the Domestic Violence Act, and the Municipal Systems Act.
- Participated in the inaugural annual Integrated Youth Development Strategy (IYDS) as a key stakeholder for the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA)
- Participated in the following consultations: The GIZ TIP (with Corruption Watch); Gauteng Advisory Youth Panel Consultation on the pillar of Education, Skills and Second Chances; Gauteng Advisory Youth Panel Consultation on the Integrated Youth Development Strategy, National Youth Policy consultation.
Promoting democracy
Civic Education
ACTIVATE!’s Civic Education Programme is an initiative committed to promoting democracy through grassroots democracy engagements and activities. We have trained and supported over 30 young people across all nine provinces of South Africa, who serve as civic education champions in their local communities. These champions are equipped to facilitate civic education workshops, conduct in-school civic and voter education activation sessions for young adults, and lead large-scale national door-to-door campaigns.The latter are rolled-out under our national campaign #WeAreVoting, supported by UNDP South Africa and Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).
Objectives of the Activate Education Programme
- Provide civic and voter education that can capacitate young people to mobilise their peers and communities to actively contribute to and participate in democratic processes.
- Challenge individuals and leaders in positions of power to proactively create spaces for meaningful youth participation and inclusion.
- Paying attention to; and creating processes for engagement with both the converted and the dissenting voices of young people.
- Co-creating platforms that promote collective action and accountability, allowing for diverse representation in solution building at all times in the betterment of communities and building social cohesion.
- Ensure diverse and equal representation of young people throughout the electoral cycle.
Highlights of the Partners and Impact of the Activate! Civic Education Programme:
The ACTIVATE! Civic Education Programme has demonstrated remarkable success in fostering civic engagement and democratic participation among South African youth.Â
Over the past three years, the programme has significantly expanded its reach and impact through strategic partnerships and comprehensive educational initiatives. With support from partners such as the UNDP, IEC, and Dep of Women, Children and People Living with Disabilities, ACTIVATE! has been able to connect with millions of young people across the country, particularly those in marginalised rural and peri-urban areas.
Media Reach and Engagement
One of the programme’s notable achievements is its extensive media reach. The programme has garnered over 5 million media impressions and 6 million social media engagements. This widespread visibility has played a crucial role in raising awareness about the importance of civic education and encouraging young people to actively participate in democratic processes. Through targeted social media campaigns and digital content, ACTIVATE! has effectively engaged diverse audiences and sparked meaningful conversations about civic responsibilities and voter participation.
Grassroots Mobilisation and Community Empowerment
At the grassroots level, the programme has conducted numerous workshops, distributed educational booklets, and facilitated community projects. In 2018, ACTIVATE! conducted five pilot civic education workshops in four provinces, reaching over 100 young people in marginalised areas such as Kagiso, Klipspruit, Wynberg, Egoso, and Harding. These workshops provided participants with the knowledge and tools to become active citizens and community leaders.
In 2022, the launch of the Civic Education Booklet marked a significant milestone. This resource has been instrumental in demystifying local government processes, the constitution, and promoting a culture of accountability and active citizenship. The booklet has been widely distributed, empowering young people with the information needed to navigate and influence democratic systems effectively.
Voter Mobilisation and Observational Missions
The programme’s voter education and mobilisation efforts have been particularly impactful.
The #WeAreVoting campaign has played a pivotal role in instilling a sense of duty and empowerment among young voters, contributing to a notable increase in voter registration. The IEC reported a significant rise in voter registration, with 703,794 new voters added to the roll, attributing this success to enhanced civil society voter mobilisation efforts.
ACTIVATE!’s commitment to election observation has also grown, with an increasing number of Activators participating in observer missions. From 100 observers in the 2016 local elections to 215 in the 2021 local elections, these efforts ensure transparency and integrity in the electoral process. The development of a youth-friendly observer manual in collaboration with the UNDP and IEC further strengthens this initiative, providing young observers with the necessary guidelines and tools.
Capacity Building and Leadership Development
The programme has trained 30 youth champions across nine provinces, equipping them with the skills to lead civic education workshops and voter engagement activities within their communities. These champions have facilitated numerous community engagements, fostering relationships between young people and local representatives, and advocating for improved service delivery and accountability.
Collaborative Efforts and Future Vision
ACTIVATE! continues to build strong partnerships with organizations such as the IEC, UNDP, COGTA, and SALGA to enhance its civic education efforts. These collaborations have enabled the programme to expand its reach, improve the quality of its educational content, and sustain its impact across diverse communities.
Looking ahead, the programme aims to form part of a broader civic education network across Southern Africa, championing human rights and active participation without fear or intimidation.
By placing democracy at the heart of the people, ACTIVATE! Civic education programme strives to cultivate a vibrant, inclusive, and resilient democratic culture in South Africa.
In summary, the ACTIVATE! Civic Education Programme has significantly contributed to building an informed and engaged youth populace, capable of driving positive social, economic, and political change. Through media outreach, grassroots mobilisation, voter education, capacity building, and strategic partnerships, the programme continues to empower young South Africans to actively participate in and shape their democracy
See our other Programmes
See our other Programmes
Become an Activator today
An Activator is an active young person who has gone through the ACD programme and is part of a network of young change drivers who are passionate about community development. The training of Activators began in 2012: more than 4 000 young people have undergone the training in all nine provinces of South Africa. As both individuals and networks, Activators have strongly influenced policy platforms and forums and decision-making structures.
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communications@activateleadership.co.za
+27 87 820 4873
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JOHANNESBURG
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