Young people across Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar are set to benefit from expanded access to policy information and stronger opportunities for civic participation following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ActionAid Tanzania and the Royal Danish Embassy in Tanzania.
The agreement, signed on July 14, 2026, at the Global Platform Tanzania Office in the presence of Danida Fellowship Centre (DFC) Tanzania Fellows, establishes the KEYJana Impact Project, a youth-led initiative aimed at strengthening civic participation, increasing access to policy information, and advancing climate justice.
The initiative seeks to address longstanding challenges facing many young Tanzanians, particularly those in rural, underserved and marginalised communities, who often experience limited access to civic and policy information due to information gatekeeping, digital inequality and a shortage of youth-friendly engagement platforms.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Denmark's Ambassador to Tanzania, Jesper Kammersgaard, praised the project's youth-led approach, noting that the vision originated from the young people themselves.
"They returned home with an idea, which was their idea. ActionAid helped create the structure around it, but they did not write the vision. The leadership, the direction and the ownership belong to the young people themselves," he said.
"That is rare. And, frankly, it is one of the reasons we believe this project has every chance of succeeding."
The project traces its roots to 2025, when Tanzanian DFC Fellows participated in the Danida Fellowship Centre's "2030 Beyond" programme in Copenhagen, Denmark, alongside emerging leaders from different parts of the world working to accelerate implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Upon returning to Tanzania, the fellows developed the concept that later evolved into the KEYJana Impact Project with support from ActionAid Tanzania.
One of the project's young founders and DFC Fellow, Hellen Sisya, said the initiative aligns with Tanzania's commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 by promoting inclusive institutions and participatory governance.
"We have a vision of contributing to Sustainable Development Goal 16, to ensure young people are empowered to participate in decision-making processes, and that they understand the policies we have as a nation," she said.
The KEYJana Impact Project will focus on three strategic areas. The first, Expanding Access to Policy Information, will facilitate youth-policy dialogues, digital storytelling and strategic media engagement to bridge information gaps between government institutions and young citizens.
The second pillar, Strengthening Inclusive Civic Participation, will enhance leadership skills among young women, youth with disabilities, Youth Sounding Board members and youth-led organisations while strengthening collaboration between young people, government institutions, civil society organisations and development partners.
The third component, Advancing Climate Justice and Green Livelihoods, will promote youth participation in the blue and green economy by supporting climate action initiatives, environmental sustainability and green employment opportunities.
Through the partnership, ActionAid Tanzania and the Royal Danish Embassy aim to create an enabling environment where young people can actively contribute to national development, influence public policy and play a greater role in shaping Tanzania's democratic and sustainable future.
