The current dimming economic prospects due to multiple challenges including increased state of insecurity fueled by terrorism, and adverse weather effects impacting food production have exerted massive strains on the state of global funding for programs targeting youth empowerment and sustainable environment.
For the first time in as many years, the world is faced with a scenario where western countries that had pledged to contribute more money towards Youth empowerment and environmental sustainability are reconsidering their pledges due to emerging refugee challenges as well as the increasing threats from terror groups. This emerging phenomenon spells doom for the positive strides already made towards promoting youth empowerment and sustainable environment in Lamu county and Kenya at large. Competing for the ever-dwindling resources has made youth empowerment and sustainable environment a lower priority in the budgetary processes for many of the counties in Kenya, Lamu included, where none is anywhere close to even realizing half of the vision 2030 and SDG.
With the ever increasing competition for resources within the seemingly dwindling resources basket and notably limited investments for youth empowerment and sustainable environment by governments, weaker community based organizations and less empowered citizenry to advocate for change contribute to the slow pace of youth empowerment and sustainable environment policy reforms. The elevation of countries like Kenya to the status of a middle income country may require in the near future for the government to take more responsibility in supporting youth empowerment and environmental sustainability for its citizens.
This Strategic Plan is a commitment and a road map for Lamu Youth Alliance to promote civil society engagement in youth empowerment advocacy at county, national and regional levels, through capacity building and intensified policy advocacy.
