YEABU & KIDDO’S STORY
In Sierra Leone, adolescent girls often face challenges shaped more by tradition than by their potential.
Current projects
Funsani (“Ask”)
Funsani strengthens youth civic engagement in Zambia ahead of the 2026 elections, promoting credible information and citizen-led accountability online and face-to-face.
Nyenyezi (Intanda Stars)
Nyenyezi (Intanda Stars) is a 2024–2026 project in Central Province (Ngabwe, Kapiri Mposhi and Luano) that helps prevent GBV by strengthening community response and supporting children and young people, especially girls and young women. Supported by Kindernothilfe.
Youth Voices Connect
Youth Voices Connect strengthens youth-friendly health services by enabling young people (10–24) to drive social accountability across Lusaka, Southern and Luapula.
Supporting LGBTQIA+ youth in India through QUTWE
The QUTWE project aims to strengthen parent-child relationships among young people and especially with LGBTQIA+ youth (ages 16–24) and their parents/caregivers through Youth Resource Centers (YRCs) that provide youth-led, community-based, and non-judgmental safe spaces in the Dakshinpuri area of Delhi. The YRCs use a three-pronged intervention model: By promoting open, supportive dialogues within families and …
Youth Researchers Academy
Program Overview Young persons with disabilities are often excluded from the broader discussions on sexual reproductive health. When they are included, it is often tokenistic and done only to appear diverse. They do not participate meaningfully for numerous reasons, namely, a lack of agency and data, accessibility challenges, limited leadership opportunities, and low investment in …
The Connect Project
The Challenge: According to the 2024 census, Uganda remains one of the world’s youngest nations, with 50.5% of its population aged 17 years and under, and a further 22.7% between the ages of 18–30. Despite their numbers, young people’s needs are often unmet, and they continue to face the consequences of poor governance, underrepresentation, and …
SHE SOARS Youth Advisory Board: Powering Youth-Led Change
Program Overview The Youth Advisory Board (YAB) is at the heart of the SHE SOARS project—an initiative working across Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia to advance the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of out-of-school adolescent girls. Established as a fully youth-led governance body, the YAB are the watchdog for meaningful youth engagement, ensuring that the …
Youth Mobilisation Campaign for the Global Fund
In 2025 we ran a dynamic UK-based youth mobilisation campaign with the aim of securing an ambitious replenishment from the UK government to the Global Fund. The campaign is built on three strategic pillars: 1. The Evidence: Nationwide Youth Polling To counter the narrative that young people are disengaged from global issues, the campaign commissioned …
Spotlight Initiative
The Spotlight Initiative, launched in 2017 with seed funding from the European Union, aims to eliminate violence against women and girls (EVAWG) and accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
What it Means to Be a Young Man Today
Across different contexts, young men face strong social pressures about how they should behave, express emotions, and relate to others. These expectations often reinforce harmful stereotypes that affect wellbeing, relationships, and gender equality. In both England and Nepal, young people themselves are increasingly leading conversations to reshape these norms in more positive and inclusive ways. …
SHIRIKI TUJENGE TANGA YETU
14 Youth Accountability Advocates are equipping 1,350 out-of-school youth with knowledge of their civic rights and responsibilities by engaging 540 parents and guardians and 91 local government officials, creating a network for youth-led dialogue and accountability in Tanga
SOWING JUSTICE – Reclaiming Indigenous Seed Sovereignty
5 advocates are promoting seed sovereignty in East and Southern Africa through youth-led campaigns, advocacy, and public engagement, emphasizing the importance of indigenous seeds in ensuring food security
YOUTH SOUNDING BOARD
17 young representatives from 17 regions in Tanzania are informing the next SDC Cooperation Programme (2026–2030) and advise on approaches to strengthen youth participation in electoral processes.
IJUE KODI YAKO – LIPA NA SHIRIKI.
Building partnerships among civil society, government institutions, and local communities, equipping youth and community actors with the skills and knowledge to engage in tax policy discussions.
EMPOWER HER
Transforming Obstacles into Opportunities for Vulnerable Adolescent Girls
End Child Marriage Project.
Enhancing Adolescent Girl’s Knowledge Through Life Skills to End Child Marriage and Other Harmful Practices (ECM)
The Power Up Project in Sierra Leone
The Power Up project is dedicated to unlocking the potential of 15,300 adolescent girls in Bombali and Moyamba District.
Financial Inclusion and Innovation Hub Project.
Enhancing Financial Empowerment and Innovation for Women in Moyamba and Freetown.
EU-Youth Sounding Board Zimbabwe
Recognising the critical role of the EU Youth Sounding Board (YSB) in shaping youth policies and fostering youth engagement across the EU and its partner countries
Enhancing Youth Participation in Civic Spaces
For decision-makers to take into consideration the needs and interests of youth in their programmes and policies, informed by meaningful youth engagement.
Citizen Engagement for Accountability Action
Promoting more effective citizen participation in governance processes to improve citizen-driven development.
AU-EU Youth Voices Lab – Power of the Collective
Supporting young people to influence policies and partnerships at every level, from local communities to AU-EU platforms.
Youth Accountability Champions
Enhancing young people’s access to SRHR services in the Eastern and Southern Africa region
UNICEF Education Programme
Supporting 6,000 adolescents by providing financial aid, school supplies, transport, and menstrual health kits, while offering life skills and mindset transformation sessions to improve access, retention, and learning.
Graduate Career Accelerator Programme (GCAP)
The Graduate Career Accelerator Programme (GCAP) aims to drive sustainable employment outcomes and long-term career success for Africa’s next generation of leaders by equipping them with essential skills, industry exposure, and direct employer connections. Restless Development Uganda, in partnership with the African Leadership Academy (ALA (opens in a new tab)), launched the Graduate Career Accelerator …
ULEMELERO ”LIVE WELL” PROJECT
Ulemelero (Live well) boosts financial inclusion for rural young women in Luapula Province, Eastern Province and Western Province, Zambia.
It expands access to mobile money and agent banking and strengthens saving groups using a gender-transformative approach.
Restless Development Uganda Strategic Plan (Strategy Brief) 2023-2030
Uganda’s demographic trends are shaping every aspect of its development From economic growth and education to healthcare, governance, security, and climate change adaptation. With a growing youth population, the government sees this as a historic opportunity to drive the country toward middle-income status. Vision 2040 and the National Development Plans are key to this ambitious …
Youth for Health (Y4H) [ended]
Youth for Health (Y4H) (now completed) expands access to adolescent sexual and reproductive healthcare and rights for marginalised girls, including girls with disabilities, in rural Zambia—strengthening youth-friendly services, community engagement, and youth-led accountability.
SHE SOARS
SHE SOARS supports out-of-school adolescents—especially girls aged 10–19—with practical sessions on sexual and reproductive health and rights, life skills, and basic financial literacy in Eastern Province, Zambia.
Support Our Strategy 2022-2030: Restless Development Tanzania
We are unleashing the potential of young people as champions of development across Tanzania. Our strategy for 2022-2030 aims to catalyze significant change through youth leadership
AU-EU Youth Voices Lab
Supporting youth-led advocacy initiatives by providing microgrants ranging from €1,000 to €10,000 per collective to youth-led groups from intervention countries and the youth diaspora to support their actions.
Kijana Imara – UNFPA
Strengthening 650 girls’ economic independence, leadership capacity, mental well-being, and access to supportive community systems so they can rebuild their lives and claim their rights.
Restless Development Alumni Engagement
Engaging our network of 7,000 alumni by keeping them connected to Restless Development and supporting their continued role in advancing youth empowerment and sustainable development across Tanzania.
Walking The Talk
Walking the Talk aims to boost the adoption of Feminist Foreign Policies (FFP) and gender equality in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, the Netherlands and the European Union. The programme advocates for an increase in Official Development Assistance (ODA) dedicated to gender equality and women’s rights. Working hand in hand with young people, we will …
VIJANA TWAWEZA(SKILLS FOR EMPLOYMENT- SET)
400 young people are strategically equipped to expand dignified employment pathways by developing specialised competencies across the poultry value chain and market linkages
Youth Ke Bol
Youth Empowerment Movement in Pakur, Ganjam, and Vellore A youth-led coalition, empowering young leaders to drive change in SRHR. Activities like Youth Hacks and Youth Adda foster discussions on gender, leadership, and societal challenges. Through the implementation of three Change Action Projects, the initiative has successfully engaged and influenced the lives of nearly 2000 individuals. …
MTV Nishedh
Empowering Youth for Sexual and Reproductive Health in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar MTV Nishedh, in collaboration with Restless Development India, focuses on SRHR awareness. Virtual Peer Education (VPE) engages young leaders, promoting informed discussions and breaking barriers. The Virtual Peer Education (VPE) initiative, undertaken by Restless Development India, sets an ambitious target of empowering 30 …
Delhi Learning Lab – Delhi
Improving Family Planning & Reproductive Health in Dakshinpuri, Delhi Addressing challenges in resettlement colonies, Delhi Learning Lab aims to enhance family planning and reproductive health. The lab targets adolescents, parents, and community members, promoting positive change in SRHR practices. By September 2024, the Delhi Learning Lab is ambitiously targeting the empowerment of10,000 adolescents and youth, …
My Education My Rights – Odisha
Empowering Girls through Education in Odisha This initiative aims to counter the impact of COVID-19 on girls’ education in Odisha. Focused on bridging gender and digital divides, the project ensures girls’ enrollment, imparts life skills, and promotes digital inclusion. In its inaugural year, the My Education My Rights initiative in Odisha has made a significant …
PAHAL – The Initiative – Jharkhand
Empowering Change: Pahal – For Gender Equity and Child Rights Pahal is a transformative initiative combating child rights violations, particularly child marriage and gender discrimination. Working with stakeholders, Pahal aims to improve access to education, prevent child marriages, and empower young leaders to address challenges in Jharkhand. With a dedicated focus on the youth, the …
Global Girls Creating Change
Global Girls Creating Change (G2C2) empowered girls in Brazil, Indonesia, Nepal, and Uganda to lead climate action and green entrepreneurship through skills training, advocacy, and innovation grants. Led by Hivos with Restless Development and Humanis, G2C2 supported girls to research, influence, and implement climate solutions in their communities.
GreenShift Nepal
GreenShift Nepal is a four-year EU-funded project promoting a circular plastic economy in Madhesh, Lumbini, and Bagmati. Led by CREASION with Restless Development and YI-Lab, it empowers youth, waste workers, and communities through recycling, sustainable innovation, advocacy, and climate-smart schools for a Net-Zero Carbon Nepal.
Green Jobs project
Climate change is one of the most pressing issues affecting our world and will be a major issue that young people will have to contend with in the future. The effects of climate change are likely to hit sub-Saharan Africa the hardest where youth populations are already large and only projected to grow. Like many …
Positive Parenting Education Program
Creating and expanding opportunities for the empowerment of adolescent girls and boys through gender-transformative engagement.
Financial Inclusion for Women Living in Informal Settlement.
This is the first phase of the Financial Inclusion Project
Chitetezo [ended]
Chitetezo (now completed) was a youth-led, peer-to-peer project tackling gender-based violence, child marriage and teenage pregnancy across Eastern Province, Lusaka Province and Western Province in Zambia.
Taking Climate Change to Schools
Living in the Climate Crisis Young people are disproportionally affected by the climate crisis. The voices of young Africans are often unheard in public and political discussions of climate change impacts, adaptation and mitigation. Restless Development’s Living in Climate Crisis report, drawing from 1214 survey responses and 102 interviews with young people in Uganda found …
Youth Climate Action Lab
A youth-led movement on addressing the issues of climate change in Urban Bengaluru. Climate change is one of the most pressing issues affecting young people.
RUPANTARAN
Rupantaran is a government-endorsed, holistic life skills package for adolescents aged 10–19. Developed with UN agencies, it covers leadership, livelihoods, health, and gender equality. Restless Development Nepal leads its rollout across 30+ districts, building youth capacity and challenging harmful social norms through a network of trained young leaders.
Nepali Yuwa in Climate Action and Green Growth
Nepali Yuwa in Climate Action and Green Growth empowers young people (15–29) to lead climate adaptation, green jobs, and local disaster planning in three provinces. Led by Restless Development Nepal with partners, the EU-funded project supports youth-led climate action, entrepreneurship, and advocacy for resilient, sustainable recovery.
Youth Take The Lead
Youth Take The Lead was a youth leadership exchange program active from 2011 to 2021, connecting young people from Nepal, South Africa, and Tanzania. Supported by NOREC, it built youth capacity through global dialogues, advocacy, and training, reached over 1,000 youth, and strengthened leadership and engagement in civil society.
AIM YOUTH POWER [ended]
AIM Youth Power (now completed) strengthened youth-led accountability in Zambia by building the capacity of youth-led organisations to generate evidence, advocate with duty-bearers, and create safer dialogue between young people and state actors.
East Africa Youth Inclusion Programme
Advancing livelihoods by expanding employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for 25,000 economically disadvantaged young men and women aged 15–24 across Tanzania.
Vijana Tunaweza – Girls Leadership Programme
Enhance the financial security and resilience of 1345 marginalized young people. through enterprise development while addressing gender-based violence and HIV prevention for sustainable development
SHE SOARS
Supporting out-of-school Adolescent girls in Uganda through Sexual and reproductive Health education. Adolescent girls face many barriers in exercising their Sexual and Reproductive Health rights,. The cost of these barriers are devastating and deadly. Barred from seeking services and making decisions about their health, one to 4 adolescent girls become mothers every year in Uganda.* …
Technical and Vocational Education and Training and Higher Education
Offering young people prospects for economic participation. Restless Development is partnering with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) (opens in a new tab) to harness the opinions, ideas, insights and lived experiences of a diverse group of young people in Uganda. The programme aims to contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 4 ‘Quality Education’ by …
KIJANA IMARA – UNICEF
Promoting comprehensive well-being through sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), HIV prevention, violence prevention, nutrition, and the protection of adolescents’ rights in Songwe Region in Tanzania
Kijana Wajibika
Empowering young people to take a central role in development and governance, driving accountability and responsiveness from government institutions. Using our proven youth-led, data-driven mode
UPSHIFT
UPSHIFT empowers young people to identify challenges in their communities and create entrepreneurial solutions to address them.
CIVSAM [ended]
CIVSAM (now completed) strengthened child protection and youth participation in Central Province, Zambia by building children’s rights and sexual and reproductive health education, including for children with disabilities.
O3 Project
O3 strengthens Life Skills and Health Education (LSHE) in Central Province, Zambia by training and supporting teachers and schools, with added parent and community engagement on comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
Climate Change & Youth Aspirations
This new study is looking at how climate change impacts the lives of young people. What are young people doing to mitigate the effects of climate change upon their lives and their communities? We are also looking at how young people can be helped to overcome this challenge.
Youth At Heart
Young People should be at the heart of decisions that affect their lives. We believe that young people are experts in their own experience. They have the energy, and professionalism to speak for themselves. That’s why we believe in youth-led research. This exciting two month participatory research project was executed by a group of 12 …
Resilient Realities
Strengthening youth response and recovery for youth civil society. Resilient Realities is a youth-led research project that will explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth civil society around the world, and identify the kind of resourcing and support needed to strengthen the youth response and recovery. Resilient Realities will use an innovative methodology …
International Citizen Service (ICS)
Creating sustainable change through volunteering.
STEM for Girls
Teaching life, career, gender, digital literacy and coding skills for girls.
Youth-Led Accountability for Gender Equality
Training young people to collect data, build a picture of problems facing communities, and hold their leaders to account to fix them.
Enhancing access to SRHR services and information for young people
Supporting young people to realise their sexual and reproductive health rights.
Youth Against Misinformation
Fighting misinformation online to stop the spread of dangerous false information during the covid-19 pandemic.
Youth Think Tank
Training young people to conduct and lead research projects, collecting evidence, and documenting youth needs, challenges, and aspirations in seven African countries to influence livelihoods and employment policy.
The Development Alternative
Committed to testing and developing new ways of doing development that are truly led by young people and their communities because when communities lead, development succeeds.
Colours of the Rainbow
Colours of the Rainbow was a project active from April 2018 to October 2020 that supported LGBTIQ youth in Nepal to claim their sexual and reproductive health and rights. In partnership with AmplifyChange, it strengthened 80 CSOs, trained 4,778 people, and advanced inclusive policies and advocacy across the country.
International Citizen Service Nepal
International Citizen Service Nepal was a UK-funded volunteer exchange program led by VSO, pairing Nepali and UK youth to work on WASH, SRHR, and livelihoods in rural communities. Active learning, cross-cultural collaboration, and grassroots impact empowered over a decade of youth to become changemakers in their own communities.
Strengthening Accountability, Building Inclusion
Supporting young people to collect data and drive community-centred change.
Fighting Corruption and Increasing Accountability
Improving Sierra Leone’s ability to raise, allocate and account for the use of public funds so that they can be invested in services such as education health and economic growth.
Leave No Girl Behind
Ensuring the most vulnerable girls across Sierra Leone can access the opportunities they deserve.
Mama by choice, not by chance
Supporting young women to raise awareness of the benefits of contraception with teenage girls.
Unite for Save Lives Nar Salone
Ensuring high quality healthcare is available so that children have the best start in life.
Peak Youth Tackling HIV
Young people, from 10 to 30 years old, are reducing the levels of new HIV infections and Gender Based Violence (GBV) among their peers, including those with disabilities.
Past projects
TEVET for Young Female Learners
TEVET for Young Female Learners helps girls gain practical skills through TEVET Career Clubs, stronger teaching, and partnerships that connect learning to real opportunities.
Tikambe Youth Media [ended]
The Tikambe Youth Media, ”Let’s talk” programme, helps the young people have a voice, gain life skills, and attain an understanding of their sexual reproductive health rights (SRHR).
Ishiwi “My Voice” [ended]
The Ishiwi “My Voice” programme helps to equip young people with the knowledge and skills they need to understand their democratic rights.
Anakazi Leaders [ended]
We support young women and girls, by providing mentorship and internships to students from various universities and colleges in Zambia, in-order for them to gain career skills and access expert knowledge they will need for their future.
Ubunonshi Youth Empowerment [ended]
The Ubunonshi ”Youth Empowerment” programme helps to ensure that young people have the skills, knowledge, and the support they need to succeed in life.
Tusunge Lubono [ended]
Providing financial literacy training for girls and young women, in and out of school; increasing confidence and prospects and reducing HIV and financial insecurity.