The AYPW focuses on the revitalisation of the 54 African Youth Policies around water and sanitation. The African Union launched the African Youth Charter in 2006, and several youth policies were established in most African countries. Young people constitute a substantial part of the population of most African countries and of the region as a whole. This stresses the need for practical policies and related programmes to engage youth effectively in water (and affiliated sectors) governance in each African country. So far, the AYPW has been established in 24 African countries, and is facilitating policies reassessment around water and sanitation across the continent, in collaboration with chapters, governments, and institutional organizations.

The idea is to progress youth development in several areas such as unemployment, education, governance, shared practices, health etc. which should facilitate the implementation of topic-specific themes such as water and sanitation, education, climate change, jobs opportunites, etc. With the revitalization of the 54 African youth policies, the AYPW brings together youth representatives and stakeholders from across the continent to assess, implement, and evaluate policies and related programmes with 3 main objectives and target points

• Local youth action is recognised and implemented in all water spheres: local knowledge and actions of young people are valued by employers, authorities and funders and integrated into planning and programming. Youth are recognized and respected as leaders and stakeholders, especially those from the most marginalized communities, markedly in terms of gender, race and income. Recognizing and intentionally incorporating youth, women, people with disabilities and members of other marginalized and vulnerable groups into decision-making and leadership roles is fundamental to achieving sustainable and equitable water resource management and governance.


• Job opportunities are improved and diversified: job and career opportunities for young people are increased, improved, and diversified in the water sphere and its connections to health, education, climate, food security and economic growth among others. Furthermore, safe access to water and sanitation services also contributes to sustainable economic growth and job creation.


• Youth-inclusion in decision-making being the norm, not the exception: meaningful and plural youth participation in institutions and decision making structures regarding water is formalized, considered and measurable. Barriers to youth inclusion cause multiple gaps in government policies and/or their implementation, and a lack of support due to poor leadership, adverse power dynamics, negligence and gaps in governance structures, inadequate funding and insufficient incentives to support change, and corruption.