The 2026 International Youth Day celebration in Buea brought together over 300 young leaders, agri-preneurs, and youth-led community-based organizations (CBOs). Jointly hosted by the Regional Delegation of Youth Affairs and Civic Education and ARG-CAM, the program seamlessly blended high-level policy dialogue, technical masterclasses, live exhibitions, and symbolic community action.
The core capacity-building phase was structured into distinct training tracks and policy sessions designed to bridge policy and grass-roots action:
Focus: Connecting youth innovators directly with policy leaders and development experts to align grass-roots aspirations with regional governance.
Example/Analysis: Panelists unpacked local employment deficits and ecological vulnerabilities. The dialogue demonstrated how young people can move from informal, low-yield ventures into formalized green supply chains by engaging directly with municipal development plans and civic structures. Coordinated by Mr Andoh Akeson A. Program Officer, ARGCAM.
Focus: Practical techniques in climate-resilient farming, eco-friendly inputs, and waste management.
Example/Analysis: Participants were trained on converting agricultural waste into bio-fertilizers and organic soil conditioners. For instance, converting market food waste into organic compost enables young farmers to drastically reduce input costswhile improving soil health and climate resilience. Ms.Enanga Fule ( MINJE).
Focus: Building institutional capacity for youth executives to draft bankable project proposals and access regional micro-funding.
Example/Analysis: Facilitators walked CBO leaders through grant-writing frameworks, demonstrating how to align local project goals (e.g., community clean-ups or youth skills hubs) with funder priorities, indicators, and budgetreporting.(Presented by Edmund Linonge Njoh, manager ARGCAM).
Presenter: Edmund Linonge Njoh (Manager, African Resource Group – Cameroon Ltd)
Focus Impact: Synthesizing green entrepreneurship, climate leadership, and sustainable community models.
Example/Analysis: Mr. Njoh delivered a roadmap showing how young agri-preneurs can scale micro-enterprises into bankable ventures through circular economy principles (such as greenhouse farming integrated with eco-friendlywaste management). His presentation emphasized that local youth action directly
drives regional peace, stability, and economic development.
