YOUTH RESILIENCE PROJECT (YRP)
Addressing Mental Health And Economic Challenges.
About the Project
The Youth Resilience Project (YRP) is a community-based initiative designed to strengthen the resilience, mental well-being, and economic participation of young people across Kaduna State. It places a special focus on Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and other marginalized youth groups who are often left out of development conversations.
Funded by the European Union through Global Youth Mobilization (GYM), YRP is grounded in a belief that inclusive, youth-led solutions create stronger, more sustainable communities. The project combines three core elements:
- Mental health awareness and resilience building – equipping young people with the tools to manage stress, improve coping mechanisms, and support peers.
- Economic empowerment and inclusion – providing life skills and pathways to sustainable livelihoods, helping youth tackle the root causes of economic vulnerability.
- Community-based advocacy and engagement – strengthening the capacity of youth champions to identify challenges, convene stakeholders, and co-create solutions within their localities.
Our first orientation workshop brought together youth from across Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Zaria, Kafanchan, and IDP communities — including PWDs, mental health advocates, and youth-led organizations. These champions will now serve as our “eyes and ears” within their communities, identifying challenges and leading local solutions. Through carefully designed training, mentorship, and active stakeholder engagement, YRP is fostering a network of community champions who serve as the “eyes and ears” within their environments. These champions play a critical role in identifying both economic challenges and related mental health concerns, mobilizing resources, and implementing small-scale initiatives that have a ripple effect of change across the state.
This project reflects Rayshaven’s commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind, and that young people — regardless of background, ability, or status — have the capacity and confidence to lead change within their communities.
Funders & Partners
The Youth Resilience Project (YRP) is not a journey we’re taking alone. It’s the product of meaningful collaboration — where international support meets local passion. Together, we’ve built a network that gives young people across Kaduna State the tools and opportunities they need to make real, lasting change in their communities.
- Funding Partner: The European Union (EU), whose investment makes it possible for this vision to take shape.
- Implementing Partner: Global Youth Mobilization (GYM), working closely with Rayshaven and other dedicated local organizations to bring the project to life.
- Community Partners: From Disabled People’s Organizations to youth-led initiatives, mental health advocates, and grassroots leaders, these partners are the heart of YRP — ensuring every step we take is inclusive, relevant, and rooted in the realities of the communities we serve.
Project Phases & Timelines
The Youth Resilience Project is carefully planned to create meaningful impact within a few months — without rushing the communities we serve. Each phase is designed to build on the last, ensuring that by the end of the journey, young people not only gain skills but also leave behind sustainable change.
- Start Date: August 2025
- End Date: December 2025
Here’s how the journey unfolds:
- Orientation & Capacity Building (August): We begin by equipping youth with the knowledge, confidence, and resources they need to lead.
- Community Mapping & Needs Assessment (August – September): Together, we listen, learn, and identify what each community truly needs.
- Implementation of Community-led Initiatives (September – November): Ideas turn into action as young leaders bring their plans to life.
- Follow-up, Monitoring & Stakeholder Engagement (Throughout): We stay connected, offer guidance, and keep partners engaged every step of the way.
- Project Evaluation & Closing Forum (December): We wrap up by reflecting, sharing successes, and celebrating the voices that made it all possible.
Beneficiaries & Reach
At the heart of this project are young people — passionate, diverse, and deeply connected to their communities.
Direct Beneficiaries
We will work closely with 50+ youth community champions drawn from Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Zaria, Kafanchan, and surrounding LGAs. This group will reflect the strength of Kaduna’s diversity, including:
- Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)
- Representatives from IDP camps
- Mental health advocates
- Youth-led organizations
- Community-based organizations
These champions won’t just participate — they’ll lead. They will be the bridge between this project and the realities on the ground, shaping initiatives that truly respond to their people’s needs.
Indirect Beneficiaries
Through the work of these youth champions, we anticipate reaching hundreds of community members across the state, supporting them as they confront economic challenges and the mental health issues linked to them.
(Note: The final list of direct beneficiaries will be confirmed as selections are made.)
Project Approach
YRP adopts a step-by-step, inclusive approach:
- Orientation Workshop: Brought together over 100 youth champions and stakeholders. Provided insight into the project goals and expected roles. Participants were grouped by communities to form local action teams. Media presence ensured wider public awareness (including coverage by Kaduna State Media Corporation).
- Community Champions as Key Actors: Each champion serves as the “eyes and ears” of the project within their communities. They will identify economic challenges and the mental health concerns linked to them. They will also convene local stakeholders (traditional leaders, youth, CSOs, etc.) to co-design responses.
- Implementation Phase: Champions will roll out small-scale, community-driven initiatives. The project team will provide technical support, resources, and mentorship.
- Monitoring & Evaluation: Regular follow-up with community champions to ensure accountability and impact tracking. Documentation of lessons learned, success stories, and challenges.
- Final Stakeholder Forum: At the end of the project, all champions, partners, and stakeholders will gather to review outcomes. Recommendations will be shared for sustainability beyond the project’s funding cycle.
Key Highlights
Our journey has already begun with some inspiring milestones:
KSMC video coverage of the orientation workshop.
- First Orientation Workshop (August 2025, Kaduna): We hosted a vibrant session that brought together young leaders from across the state, each representing their unique communities.
- True Inclusion in Action: Sign language interpreters ensured that no voice went unheard, creating a safe space where everyone could fully participate.
- Media & Documentation: The event gained official coverage from KSMC and was professionally documented through photos and videos — capturing not just the moments, but the energy and hope in the room.
- Community Clusters Formed: Participants have already mobilized into smaller community clusters, eager to start identifying and mapping local economic and mental health challenges.
- Shared Excitement: There’s a tangible sense of enthusiasm — from PWDs and IDP representatives to youth-led and community-based groups — all looking forward to the next phase of work together.
Expected Outcomes
These outcomes are designed to create lasting change — strengthening the mental, social, and economic resilience of young people while equipping communities with inclusive, youth-led solutions that can grow and thrive beyond the life of this project.
- Greater Mental Health Awareness & Resilience: Young people gain the tools and confidence to understand, protect, and strengthen their mental well-being.
- Community-Driven Economic Solutions: Practical, locally inspired responses to economic challenges that reflect the real needs and realities of each community.
- Amplified Voices for PWDs & Marginalized Youth: More visibility, representation, and opportunities for groups that are often left out of critical conversations.
- Stronger Partnerships Across Sectors: Local communities, youth groups, and government stakeholders working side by side, building trust and driving shared progress.
- A Scalable Youth-Led Model: A tested and replicable framework for resilience programming that other regions across Nigeria can adopt and adapt.
Additional Media
For more visuals, please you can go through our gallery for the event.
Social Media & Online Presence
Stay connected with us and follow project updates, community stories, and upcoming activities through our social platforms: