STAWI LAB APPLICATION FORM
1. Are you a youth-led organization focused on girls' and women's rights?
Yes.
2. Thematic area of your organization
i. Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights.
3. What were the key motivations for founding your organization?
the idea of starting the organization dealing with youth development came from Ms. Violet Ayoub who saw
the need of supporting youth to attain their dreams from the effects caused HIV/AIDS, drug abuse,
unemployment, illiteracy and poverty in 2009 and registered in 2011 to empower young people to reach their
full potential by providing resources, mentorship, and opportunities for personal and professional
development. Addressing pressing issues affecting youth, such as unemployment, lack of access to education,
mental health challenges, or social exclusion.
4. What would you say have been the impacts of your organization or project to date?
V4Y has managed to reach 64,611 young women and men across all focus areas since 2011.
JITAMBUE(Awareness) Project that creates awareness on Sexual Reproductive Health as foundational to the
promotion of women’s empowerment ensuring better access to health and sexual reproductive education;
V4Y since 2019 working with 20 secondary schools and 3 colleges in Arusha managed to formulates clubs
and visits each school weekly for the purpose of training and educating through debates and edutainment on
Sexual and Reproductive health capacity building were than 28000 young girls have been impacted by this
project in Arusha.
The Promoting Potentials of Adolescent Girls (PPAG). This is a gender & health-based program for
empowering girls to realize their potentials. This project targets adolescent girls (aged 10-17) who are in a
transition phase from childhood to adulthood in which they experience physical, behavioral, psychological,
emotional and social changes. Since its launch in 2022 the project has help to reduced number of girls drop
out, early pregnancy and marriage among school girls were more than 5000 girls have been impacted by the
project.
RESILIENCE Project, climate change intervention project supporting women and youth smallholder farmer
in remote areas to tackle the challenges of climate change to improve agricultural production, food security,
environmental conservation and improve women and youth livelihood and reduce gender-based violence. The
project has managed to support 200 indigenous women providing them with skills and knowledge on best
agricultural practices that supports environmental conservation and business skills on non-agricultural
activities to reduce pressure and dependence on natural resource. The project has also managed to create
awareness to 1000 women and men on gender-based violence since its launch in 2023.
5. Number of Team Members
5-10
6. Describe your organization's focus and mission
Vision for Youth (V4Y) is a youth-led organization dedicated to advancing the rights of young women and
men, emphasizing empowering young girls and women, who constitute 75 percent of our current project
beneficiaries. Our initiatives primarily revolve around three key areas: Health Promotion and Education
Support, where we strive to provide access to sexual and reproductive health services and education for
vulnerable adolescent girls and women; Economic Empowerment and Environmental Conservation, wherein
we focus on enhancing the economic independence of young women, particularly through supporting
indigenous smallholder farmers, while also addressing climate change challenges; and Civic Engagement and
Gender, where we empower and train young girls and women to actively participate in civic matters,
including leadership roles, to amplify their voices and address obstacles hindering their full developmental
potential.
7. What specific challenges do you face in accessing funding
i. Limited Funding Opportunities: Finding suitable funding opportunities that align with the
organization's mission and activities has been a challenge to V4Y, pool of available grants,
sponsorships, or donations are limited, making it competitive to secure funding especially due to V4Y
capacity to develop proposal that meet the requirements.
ii. Lack of Awareness; poor visibility and lack of enough awareness about the V4Y's work and its
initiatives is among the challenges to access fund from potential donors and sponsors due to lack of
tool and skills especially on social media to share the impact build by V4Y has been a hurdle to attract
sponsors and donors to support V4Y initiatives.
iii. Grant Requirements and Eligibility Criteria; Grant applications often come with specific requirements
and eligibility criteria that organizations must meet, V4Y have been facing challenges in aligning its
activities with the criteria set by funders or in demonstrating its impact and capacity effectively.
iv. Capacity Constraints: Limited staff, resources, and expertise within the organization also hinder V4Y
ability to develop strong grant proposals, manage fundraising campaigns effectively, or comply with
reporting requirements.
8. How do you plan to utilize the training and mentorship opportunities provided by the Stawi Lab
project
i. V4Y will use the training and mentorship opportunity to conduct an assessment to identify to improve
the organization capacity this could include areas such as organizational development, program
management, fundraising, marketing and communications, strategic planning, improving leadership
skills, enhancing program impact, and strengthening financial management practices.
ii. V4Y will take advantage of mentorship opportunities provided through the Stawi Lab Project to gain
valuable guidance, advice, and support tailored to V4Y's specific needs and challenges, actively engage
with mentors, seek feedback, and implement recommendations to drive organizational growth and
development.
iii. V4Y will Apply Learning to Practice; translating the knowledge and skills gained from the training and
mentorship opportunities into practice within the organization. This will involve implementing new
strategies, refining existing processes, or launching innovative initiatives.
iv. Network and collaborate; V4Y will use the Stawi Lab Project as a platform for networking and
collaboration with other participating organizations. Share experiences, exchange ideas, and explore
opportunities for partnership or joint initiatives. Building connections within the social impact
ecosystem to enhance V4Y 's visibility, reach, and impact.
9. How do you plan to utilize potential grant funding from the Stawi Lab project?
V4Y strategically plan and will effectively utilize the grant fund from the Stawi Lab Project, to strengthen its
organizational capacity, expand its reach, and create meaningful impact in serving the needs of young people
especially adolescents and young girls focusing on these areas;
i. Support access to adolescents and young girls on sexual reproductive health education through
JITAMBUE program implemented in through schools that have proved great potential to improve
girls’ awareness reducing number of girls dropping out school and pregnant cases were the grant will
be used to reach more adolescents girls expanding to more schools while also evaluate the impact of
the program for improvement.
ii. Enhance V4Y Capacity; allocate a portion of the grant fund towards building organizational capacity
and sustainability including investing in staff training to develop strong grant proposals, manage
fundraising campaigns effectively, and comply with reporting requirements while improving
monitoring and evaluation processes that will help V4Y to communicate its impact and attract more
donors and meeting grants eligibility requirements. This will also involve collecting feedback from
beneficiaries, partners, and stakeholders to assess the relevance, efficiency, and impact of V4Y
programs and use the evaluation findings to inform future decision-making and program refinement.
10. Are you currently involved in any networks or coalitions related to girls' and women's rights?
YES.
Mkakati wa Kupinga Ukatili wa Kijinsia (MKUKI)-Arusha
Through the collaborative efforts of the MKUKI network, Vision for Youth, alongside other non-governmental
organizations, has united to champion the cause against gender-based violence. This campaign specifically aims to
diminish instances of gender-based violence targeting secondary and college-level girls and women. Through this
network, awareness on gender-based violence has been raised among over 2,000 students during the 16 days of
activism against gender-based violence in Arusha, Tanzania.
11. How do you envision collaborating with other youth-led organizations within the Stawi network?
Collaborating with other youth-led organizations within the Stawi network can be a valuable opportunity for
V4Y to amplify its impact, share resources, and foster innovation including;
share best practices, lessons learned, and innovative approaches to addressing common challenges faced by
young people. Partnering with other youth-led organizations to co-design and implement joint programs and
initiatives that enhance the effectiveness and reach of interventions on projects related to youth empowerment,
advocacy campaigns, skills development, or community engagement initiatives. Advocacy and Collective
Action for policy changes or social reforms that benefit young people through advocacy campaigns
coordinated through the Stawi network can amplify voices and exert greater influence on decision-makers.
Networking and Partnerships engaging in networking activities and building partnerships with other youth-led
organizations to expand V4Y reach, visibility, and opportunities for collaboration that will open doors to new
funding opportunities, resources, and strategic alliances that enhance organizational growth and impact.
Overall, by actively engaging with other youth-led organizations within the Stawi network, V4Y can leverage
collective strengths, expertise, and resources to create positive change and empower young people to reach
their full potential.
12. What actions do you take to advocate for girls' and women's rights?
Education and Awareness: V4Y has develop educational programs and awareness campaigns aimed at
challenging gender stereotypes, promoting gender equality, and raising awareness about the rights and issues
facing girls and women. These programs have been delivered through workshops, seminars, community
outreach activities, and digital platforms.
Skills Development: V4Y has been implementing initiatives that provide girls and women with access to skills
development opportunities, vocational training, and educational resources that empower girls and women to
pursue their goals and aspirations.
Advocacy and Policy Engagement: V4Y has been advocating for policies and legal frameworks that promote
gender equality, protect the rights of girls and women, and address gender-based discrimination and violence
at local, national, and international levels to influence policy change and hold decision-makers accountable.
13. How would you contribute to advocacy efforts
i. Empowering Youth Voices: Ensuring that young people are actively involved in decision-making
processes within the community and are empowered to speak up on issues that matter to them by
creating platforms for youth to share their experiences, ideas, and concerns, and incorporating their
perspectives into advocacy campaigns.
ii. Addressing Youth-specific Issues: Focusing on issues that directly impact young people, such as
education, employment, mental health, climate change, and social justice which will effectively
advocate for policies and initiatives that benefit youth and future generations.
iii. Building Coalitions: Collaborating with other youth-led organizations, as well as with NGOs,
government agencies, and other stakeholders, to amplify the collective voice of young people and
strengthen advocacy efforts. Building coalitions will allow for greater influence and impact on
decision-makers.
iv. Providing Training and Capacity Building: Offering training programs, workshops, and resources to
equip young advocates with the skills and knowledge they need to effectively advocate for change,
including training in public speaking, advocacy strategies, policy analysis, and community organizing.
v. Celebrating Successes and Progress: Recognizing and celebrating the achievements of youth-led
advocacy efforts, whether it's policy changes, community initiatives, or increased awareness of
important issues. Celebrating successes will help to inspire and motivate young advocates to continue
their work.
[Link] provide a brief organization profile, Team members
Organization Profile: Vision for Youth-(V4Y)
Vision for Youth (V4Y), founded locally in Arusha, Tanzania in 2008 and officially registered on
September 21st, 2011 under Registration No. 00NGO/00004989 as a Non-Governmental
Organization (NGO) at the National Level in Tanzania under the Ministry of Community
Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, has made significant strides in its work. V4Y has
reached over 64,611 young women and men aged 14-35, addressing barriers related to their
sexual reproductive health, Education, civic engagement, and economic empowerment.
Through collaborative efforts with community, regional, and international partners, V4Y aims to
realize its vision of fostering a responsible and independent society. The mission of V4Y is to
provide opportunities and promote strategies for young girls and boys, ensuring sustainable
livelihoods, equitable access to opportunities, and the necessary resources for them to build a
promising future.
Vision for Youth Organization (V4Y) upholds a strong commitment to safeguarding and
promoting the rights of women and girls. Through targeted programs and advocacy efforts,
V4Y ensures equitable access to education, decision-making, healthcare, and economic
opportunities, fostering empowerment and gender equality. By addressing systemic barriers
and championing women's rights, V4Y cultivates a supportive environment where women and
girls can thrive, participate fully in decision-making processes, and contribute meaningfully to
their communities and beyond. With a focus on holistic development and social justice, V4Y
continues to champion the rights and well-being of women and girls, driving positive change
and building a more inclusive society.
MEMBERSHIP Tanzania Association of NGOs (TANGO) ● Arusha NGO Network (ANGONET) ● East African CSO Forum
(EACSOF) ● East African Youth Network (EAYN) and East Africa Volunteer Service (EVS) -Network.
PARTNERSHIPS 36 partners from 13 countries across Tanzania, East Africa, Europe, USA and
Australia.
VOLUNTEERS Strong culture of volunteerism, including 67 skill-based volunteers from
23 different countries since 2011.
Team members
Executive Director : Violet Ayoub
Head of Program; Dayness Samwel
Program Manager –Health Promotion: David Munene
Program Manager-Civic Engagement: Doreen Elisaph
Program Manager -Economic Empowerment: Amani Mathew
Accountant: Steven Felix
Human Resource - Nosim Laizer.
Communication Officer: Amina Muhorwa