On 28 May 2026, Tlokweng District Council officially launched the EMPOWER+ Youth Parliament initiative, introducing 17 young participants who will play a key role in establishing a Rural Youth Parliament in the district.
The launch event, held at Tlokweng Recreational Park, brought together youth representatives, district leadership, policymakers, civil society organisations and community stakeholders. The initiative forms part of the EMPOWER+ project, which aims to strengthen youth participation in governance and community development across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The event served as an opportunity to present the project’s objectives and to introduce the selected youth participants to local leaders. Discussions focused on the importance of youth inclusion in decision-making processes and on creating sustainable mechanisms through which young people can contribute to local development.
A key objective of the Rural Youth Parliament is to provide a structured platform for young people to engage with policymakers, voice their concerns, propose solutions and actively participate in shaping policies that affect their lives and communities.
One of the highlights of the launch was the direct interaction between the youth participants and district leadership, including political and administrative representatives. These exchanges helped establish a shared commitment to supporting youth engagement beyond the project’s duration.
Local leaders, including the Member of Parliament and other stakeholders, expressed their willingness to involve young people in future consultations and policy discussions. Their commitment reinforces the project’s vision that policies should not only target young people but should also be informed and influenced by them.
The launch of the EMPOWER+ Youth Parliament initiative in Tlokweng represents an important step towards empowering rural youth as active citizens, community leaders and contributors to inclusive and sustainable development.
As the project progresses, the Rural Youth Parliament will serve as a model that can inspire similar initiatives across Botswana and other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, strengthening youth participation and fostering a new generation of engaged and responsible leaders.
