April 17, 2024
Root Change is excited to announce that we have joined the USAID Advancing Youth Leadership (AYL) program. In partnership with Chemonics International and local capacity development organization, VBNK, we are running Social Labs designed to empower Cambodian youth by guiding them through a hands-on, transformative journey of personal growth and community development projects. The Social Labs are rooted in the belief that Cambodian youth have the potential to be powerful agents of change in their communities. By participating in the program, youth will strengthen critical life skills, analyze community challenges, and test solutions that they have developed. These competencies are crucial for helping young people become active, informed, and effective members of their communities.
The program will be implemented in four hubs across Cambodia, including Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Takeo, and Ratanakiri. Youth will be recruited from local communities to participate in the Social Lab, where they will engage in a series of workshops, training, and activities designed to build their capacities and confidence. The journey begins with problem and context analysis, followed by hypothesizing potential solutions, and culminates in testing these solutions through real-world community projects.
Youth will participate in three “Convening Moments” (CMs)—two-day weekend workshops focused on learning, sharing, and reflection. These workshops are pivotal to the Social Lab experience, offering youth the opportunity to connect with peers from other regions, exchange ideas, and learn from each other’s experiences. The CMs are designed to foster a collaborative spirit, enhancing the sense of community among participants while providing them with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed.
A key highlight of the Social Lab is the development and implementation of youth-led community projects. During the second Convening Moment, youth cohorts will work with facilitators to identify a community problem, develop a solution, and create an action plan complete with a project budget. These projects allow youth to apply the skills they’ve learned in a practical, impactful way, directly benefiting their communities. Examples of such projects might include promoting LGBTQI+ awareness through community arts events, improving local school facilities, enhancing safety at dangerous intersections through signage and messaging, or mentoring high school students on the value of volunteering.
The Social Lab is more than just a training program; it is an empowering experience that equips young Cambodians with the skills, confidence, and opportunities to make a tangible difference in their communities. Through the Social Lab, AYL and Root Change are helping to shape the next generation of Cambodian leaders—youth who are informed, engaged, and ready to lead their communities toward a brighter future.
