Govt embarks on youth fund sensitization

The Ministry of Youth and Sport is this week conducting a sensitization exercise on Youth Development Funds (YDF) in some rural districts on the Copperbelt province.

The rural districts targeted for the exercise include Lufwanyama, Mpongwe and Masaiti.

Provincial Youth Coordinator Benford Chisanyi told ZANIS in an interview in Lufwanyama at Katembula Youth Resource Centre where the exercise was conducted that the programme is aimed at strengthening the capacity of rural youths in accessing the youth development fund.

Mr. Chisanyi noted that the ministry has observed that many youths from the rural parts of the province do not participate in the empowerment programme hence coming up with the exercise to sensitise the young people on how to apply for the funds.

He said it was government’s desire that every youth in the country regardless of their political affiliation benefits from the revolving fund.

Mr. Chisanyi said he was happy with the overwhelming response from the youths so far and hoped that the number of applicants this year will increase.

Meanwhile, the youths expressed gratitude at the step taken by the Ministry in the province to sensitize them on how to access the YDF saying the move will remove all the speculation of sidelining the rural youths from accessing the money.

Richard Bwalya who spoke on behalf of the youths from Lufwanyama district said he was hopeful that the information will help them access the funds this year and further contribute to their wellbeing by engaging in viable projects.