Position Paper
Youth/Adolescent Leadership Development
Context
Youth and adolescents are powerful agents of change and key to Nepal’s democratic, social, and economic transformation. In Lumbini Province, a large segment of the population is under the age of 30, yet many young people—especially women, Dalits, indigenous groups, and rural youth remain excluded from meaningful leadership opportunities, decision-making processes.
Siddhartha Social Development Center (SSDC) recognizes youth and adolescent leadership development as a strategic investment in inclusive governance, social cohesion, and sustainable development. This position paper articulates SSDC’s commitment to empowering young people to lead change in their communities and beyond.
Youth and Adolescent Context in Lumbini Province
Young people in Lumbini Province face multiple, interconnected challenges. That include; among others, limited access to quality education, skills, and employability; high youth unemployment and underemployment, leading to labor migration; minimal representation of youth in political and civic decision-making; gender norms restricting leadership opportunities for young women and girls; exposure to violence, harmful practices, and substance abuse; impacts of climate change, disasters, and economic shocks on youth livelihood, and weak platforms for adolescent participation in schools and communities
Problem Statement
Despite policy recognition of youth participation and leadership, significant gaps remain in youth engagement with limited influence on decisions; leadership opportunities are concentrated among urban, elite youth; adolescents’ voices are rarely considered in local planning and governance; weak linkage between leadership development and livelihood opportunities; insufficient investment in safe, inclusive spaces for youth civic engagement, and limited coordination between education, local government, and civil society. These gaps limit young people’s ability to shape their futures and contribute meaningfully to development and governance.
SSDC’s Priority Areas for Action
Youth Civic and Political Leadership: Strengthening youth participation in local governance, civic processes, and accountability mechanisms.
Adolescent Leadership and Life Skills: Building confidence, critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills among adolescents, especially girls.
Inclusive Youth Leadership: Ensuring leadership opportunities for marginalized youth, including Dalits, indigenous youth, youth with disabilities, and rural youth.
Youth Economic Leadership: Linking leadership development with employability, entrepreneurship, and economic resilience.
Youth-Led Social Change: youth-led initiatives on climate action, social inclusion, peacebuilding, and community development.
SSDC’s Position and Commitments
SSDC asserts that sustainable development and democratic governance are not possible without empowered youth leaders. We therefore commit to:
- Creating safe and inclusive platforms for youth and adolescent leadership
- Strengthening youth and adolescent capacities for civic engagement and leadership
- Promoting gender-equitable youth leadership, with a focus on girls and young women
- Supporting youth-led initiatives and innovation at community level
- Facilitating youth–government engagement at local and provincial levels
- Advocating for youth-responsive policies, planning, and budgeting