Southern Africa Youth Forum
SAYoF Programs
What are SAYoF Clusters
SAYoF Clusters are thematic structures established to coordinate youth-led action, policy advocacy, research, leadership development, and regional collaboration across key social, economic, and governance priorities in Southern Africa. They provide specialized platforms through which young people engage on issues such as peace and security, innovation, sustainable development, capacity building, and effective participation in regional integration processes. Through these clusters, SAYoF strengthens youth voices, promotes partnerships, and advances meaningful youth participation in shaping the future of the region.
Business, Agriculture, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship Cluster
The Business, Agriculture, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship Cluster strengthens youth participation and leadership in entrepreneurship and economic development across Southern Africa. The Cluster promotes skills development, innovation, agribusiness, and sustainable livelihoods through mentorship, capacity-building, and learning opportunities for young entrepreneurs. It also supports partnerships with private-sector actors, investors, governments, and civil society to create an enabling environment for youth-led enterprises and inclusive economic growth. The Cluster hosts the Southern Africa Youth Commission on AfCFTA (SAYOCA).
Health Cluster
The Health Cluster strengthens youth participation and leadership in health-related planning, decision-making, and programming across Southern Africa. The Cluster promotes youth-inclusive health priorities and policy engagement, while supporting mentorship, capacity-building, and knowledge-sharing for young health leaders and youth networks. It also facilitates partnerships with health institutions, governments, civil society, and other stakeholders to amplify youth voices and promote sustainable health outcomes. The Cluster hosts the Secretariat of the SADC Rare Diseases Coalition, the Southern Africa Youth Task Force on NTDs and Malaria, and participates in the Dengue Advisory Group, among others.
Environment & Climate Change Cluster
The Environment & Climate Change Cluster strengthens youth participation and leadership in environmental protection, climate action, and natural resource governance across Southern Africa. The Cluster promotes youth engagement in sustainable environmental management, climate resilience, and environmental justice through advocacy, awareness-raising, and action-oriented initiatives. It also facilitates dialogue and partnerships with regional and international stakeholders to advance youth-led climate solutions and resilient communities. The Cluster hosts the Southern Africa Youth Climate Envoy and the Youth Negotiator Program, which capacitates young people to participate in UNFCCC processes and policy engagement.
Governance, Peace and Security Cluster
The Governance, Peace and Security Cluster strengthens youth participation and leadership in promoting peaceful, accountable, and inclusive societies across Southern Africa. The Cluster advances youth engagement in governance, conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and civic participation, while promoting democracy, constitutionalism, and human rights. It also facilitates advocacy, dialogue, and partnerships with institutions and stakeholders to amplify youth voices on governance, peace, and security priorities. SAYoF participates in the SADC Parliamentary Forum Standing Committee for Democracy, Governance and Human Rights, the Technical Working Group on the SADC Model Law on Constitutionalism and Rule of Law, the Global Coalition for Youth Peace and Security (GCYPS), and the Security Steering Committee.
Education, Science & Technology Cluster
The Gender and Young Women Development Cluster strengthens youth participation and leadership in advancing gender equality and the empowerment of young women and men across Southern Africa. The Cluster promotes gender-responsive development by supporting inclusive opportunities in education, health, employment, leadership, and civic participation. It also facilitates advocacy, mentorship, and capacity-building initiatives that strengthen the voices of young women in decision-making spaces and contribute to empowerment, dignity, and sustainable development.
Education, Science & Technology Cluster
The Education, Science & Technology Cluster strengthens youth participation and leadership in education, innovation, and skills development across Southern Africa. The Cluster promotes opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and innovation through mentorship, capacity-building, and knowledge-sharing initiatives. It also advocates for equitable access to quality education, digital literacy, and research opportunities, while building partnerships with schools, universities, researchers, industry, and policy stakeholders. Through these efforts, the Cluster empowers young people to drive creativity, employability, innovation, and inclusive development.
Disability Cluster
The Disability Cluster strengthens inclusive youth participation and leadership by promoting equal opportunities, accessibility, policy advocacy, and the rights of persons with disabilities across Southern Africa. The Cluster supports empowerment through mentorship, capacity-building, peer support, and knowledge-sharing initiatives that advance inclusion in education, health, employment, and community life. It also builds partnerships with youth networks, disability organizations, institutions, and stakeholders to promote dignity, inclusion, and sustainable development for all. The Cluster co-hosts Miss Albinism SADC, the African Union, and the Southern Africa Youth Network on the Albinism Agenda.
Pan-Africanism, Arts, Culture, and Heritage Cluster
The Pan-Africanism, Arts, Culture, and Heritage Cluster strengthens youth participation and leadership in promoting African identity, arts, culture, and heritage across Southern Africa. The Cluster supports young people to lead creative expression, cultural preservation, heritage documentation, and cultural exchange initiatives that celebrate African history, diversity, and shared values. It also facilitates advocacy and partnerships with artists, cultural institutions, youth networks, and stakeholders to advance cultural empowerment, social cohesion, and Pan-African solidarity among young people.
Media, Advocacy and Communications Cluster
The Media, Advocacy, and Communications Cluster strengthens youth participation and leadership in shaping public dialogue and influencing decision-making through effective communication across Southern Africa. The Cluster promotes the use of media, advocacy, and storytelling to raise awareness on key youth issues and encourage positive social change. It also builds skills in communications, digital media, messaging, and campaign development, while facilitating partnerships with media houses, institutions, civil society, and other stakeholders to amplify youth voices and promote accountability.
5th Southerns africa youth forum gallery
