Today marks the start of a Nationwide Step Down Common Ground Approach (CGA) training across the 10 regions of Cameroon. This is a remarkable youth-led activity steered by Local Youth Corner Cameroon under the Youth Organisation’s Upraised Network for Growth and Peace in Cameroon (YOUNG CAMEROON PROJECT). This activity seeks to create a platform for effective transfer of skills, knowledge, and best practices from the CGA training to a wider network of Youth stakeholders in Cameroon.  This will enhance youth-led conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts throughout the country. This training, which originated in Yaoundé, is now reaching a broader audience as it is rolled out regionally. This project activity is carried out in collaboration with Search for Common Ground with funding from the European Union Delegation to Cameroon. Together, we aim to empower young people in Cameroon with the tools and resources necessary to promote sustainable peace and development in their communities.

The core objective of the CGA restitution is to ensure that the invaluable skills and insights gained from the initial training are effectively shared with local participants. By organizing regional workshops, the initiative is equipping 20 new participants per region with the tools needed to implement the CGA framework within their own communities. These workshops are not only designed to enhance participants’ abilities in conflict resolution but also to foster a sense of collaboration and partnership among diverse organizations working towards common goals.

One of the unique aspects of this training model is its inclusivity. Each region’s training is carried out by a coalition of 5 Organizations who participated in the Original CGA training who will now be actively training 15 other youth-led organizations in their Regions. This approach will strengthen the overall network and help to build a more cohesive strategy for addressing local conflicts, enhancing youth-led efforts and promoting peace.

This restitution process marks a significant step towards enhancing conflict resolution and youth-led peace-building efforts across Cameroon. By sharing the CGA training outcomes and integrating new organizations, we aim to build a stronger, more collaborative network of young people committed to fostering sustainable peace and development in the region.