In the remote town of Ba’aj, Ninewa, 25-year-old Shakir grew up facing daily hardship, with limited access to water, electricity, and jobs. Like many others, he worked as a labourer, struggling to meet basic needs. When World Vision Iraq introduced an advocacy training through the Nexus Accelerator Fund, Shakir was initially sceptical, but the sessions empowered him and other youth to speak up about community issues. They raised awareness via local media and social platforms, resulting in small but meaningful changes, such as a reduction in water tanker costs. The training not only built knowledge but also sparked confidence and leadership. Today, Shakir is a vocal advocate, inspiring others to act. Through this initiative, 159 youth from Ba’aj and Sinjar have been trained in advocacy and peace-building. The project equips young people to raise their voices, organise around shared concerns, and contribute to long-term solutions in conflict-affected areas, fostering hope and resilience in marginalised communities.

Asia, 21, gained confidence through advocacy training to speak up for Sinjar’s needs—uniting voices for water, equality, and peaceful coexistence.

This advocacy statement from World Vision West Africa is a powerful call to action and solidarity for World Refugee Day 2025.

Youth Participation, Community Advocacy

This article recounts an initiative led by World Vision and the Protection Cluster on the occasion of the Day of the African Child 2025 in North Kivu. The event brought together local authorities and humanitarian actors under the theme of planning and budgeting for children’s rights, within the context of a prolonged crisis. Discussions centred on emergency education, the fight against child exploitation, support for reintegration centres, and the need for reliable data to inform decisions. A powerful testimony from a young former street child strengthened the call for concrete action. World Vision concluded by emphasising that protecting childhood is an investment in peace and the future of the country.

Community advocacy in Monapo, Mozambique, led to improved healthcare services, including hiring an additional MCH nurse and providing mosquito nets for maternity care—demonstrating the impact of citizen engagement and local action.

This article highlights a powerful celebration of the Day of the African Child 2025 in Luwowoshi, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Organised by World Vision and local partners, the event gathered over 900 people, most of them children, around the theme: “Planning and Budgeting for Children’s Rights: Progress Since 2010.” Confronted with alarming issues such as child labour, violence, and dropping out of school, children spoke out with strength and emotion. They denounced the abuses they face, shared their dreams, and urged adults to ensure their right to education, protection, and well-being. Figures such as Nestor and Alicia, both 14, carried their peers’ voices through moving advocacy messages, calling for collective mobilisation towards a safer future. In concrete response, World Vision distributed nearly 600 school kits to vulnerable children, easing their return to school. The initiative was praised by teachers, who emphasised the need for community support to combat child hardship.

World Vision West Africa urges action to protect children from climate threats. On World Environment Day 2025, we spotlight youth leadership and sustainable solutions for a healthier future.