On June 24, the U.S. Ambassador to Burundi and the Permanent Secretary representing the Minister of East African Community Affairs, Youth, Sports and Culture, along with local administration and National Youth Council representatives, religious leaders, civil society representatives, and other distinguished guests, will celebrate the official launch of a new youth program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Called Turi Kumwe, which means “We are together” in Kirundi, the project is implemented by Counterpart International in partnership with Burundian NGO Jumelage Jeunesse pour le Bien-Etre des enfants et des jeunes (JJB) and in collaboration with the Ministry in charge of Youth Affairs.
Turi Kumwe works in six communes of four provinces – Kinyinya and Gisuru in Ruyigi Province, Giharo in Rutana Province, Nyamurenza and Kiremba in Ngozi Province, and Ntahangwa in Bujumbura Mairie – with 2,000 youth of different social, political, and ethnic identities to enhance their access to economic opportunities and strengthen their engagement for the capitalization of peace.
Turi Kumwe brings youth together in Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) where youth will pool their savings and receive micro-loans. The project will support them to develop income-generating activities by providing training on entrepreneurship, coaching, and access to complementary capital through microfinance loans as well as a business plan competition where winners will receive startup capital to launch their business.
Peace and stability represent an opportunity for economic development and youth must take advantage of it; the project will reinforce youth’s capacity to become peacemakers in order to make further progress towards reconciliation. Inter-communal and inter-generational exchanges will be organized to support social cohesion and peacebuilding.
The $1.6M USD, 30-month long project contributes to the Burundi Government’s engagement towards youth through the realization of the Burundi National Youth Strategy and the National Development Plan (2018-2027).
About Counterpart International
For over 55 years, Counterpart International has forged partnerships with communities and local organizations to build inclusive, sustainable communities in which people thrive. Our current project portfolio is focused on education, food security and agricultural development, effective governance, institutional strengthening, and economic development. For more information, please visit counterpart.org.
Counterpart has worked in Burundi since 2015, implementing the Youth for Peace Building in Burundi I and II projects (2015-2019) that aimed to prevent youth’s involvement in conflict and provide livelihoods opportunities.
