Youth Engagement and Resilience Initiative (YERI)

Thematic area:

Youth Engagement

Geographical Location:

Swat, Turbat, Mirpur Khas, Bahawalpur, YERI

Project Objectives:

Youth Councils: Establish 4 Youth Councils (YCs) one in each district Swat, Turbat, Mirpur Khas, and Bahawalpur, ensuring at least 50% female and minority representation.
Youth Champions: Recruit and train 100 Youth Champions to lead anti-extremism initiatives in their communities, with an emphasis on leadership skills, conflict resolution, and community mobilization.
Monitoring Extremist Content: Implement mechanisms for reporting extremist content online through a secure and anonymous digital tool.
Social Media Awareness: Increase awareness on violent extremism through targeted social media campaigns promoting positive narratives.
Community Cohesion Events: Organize sports and cultural events to promote intercultural dialogue and strengthen community ties in the selected districts.

In partnership with NACTA, the EU, and UNODC, HRDN is proud to lead the Youth Engagement and Resilience Initiative (YERI), a transformative project empowering young leaders to foster peace and resilience across Pakistan. Targeting districts such as Swat, Turbat, Mirpur Khas, and Bahawalpur, YERI addresses youth vulnerabilities by equipping them with the tools to counter extremism, promote community cohesion, and champion positive social change.

Vision

Through YERI, HRDN and its partners are committed to creating resilient communities led by empowered youth who actively shape a more inclusive, peaceful future for Pakistan. This initiative not only addresses immediate community needs but also builds a foundation for sustainable, youth-led advocacy and resilience.

Approach

Empowering Youth Councils: YERI establishes inclusive Youth Councils with diverse representation, providing a platform for youth voices in community development and decision-making.
Training Youth Champions: We train 100 Youth Champions across the target districts, focusing on leadership, advocacy, and skills to counter extremist narratives, fostering a new generation of proactive, resilient youth leaders.
Promoting Safe Communities: Through digital reporting tools, YERI enables youth to safely monitor and report extremist content, contributing to a safer online environment and greater community vigilance.
Raising Awareness: Our social media campaigns spread messages of tolerance, unity, and resilience, engaging thousands across the target regions and beyond.
Building Community Cohesion: Through sports and cultural events, YERI strengthens community bonds and promotes dialogue, fostering mutual respect and understanding among youth.