The National Elections Systems Trust (NEST) has committed to mobilising support from development partners for young people and women, so that they can stand toe to toe with men and older candidates in the 2030 elections.

NEST Executive Director Unandi Banda told Capital FM that the Civil Society Organization is launching a 12-month project titled Advocacy for Full Youth and Women Participation in Politics, Leadership and Decision-Making Positions. The initiative will centre on youth participation, gender equality, leadership and democratic governance.

Malawi is a young nation, Banda observed, with more than 60 percent of its people below the age of 35. Yet that numerical strength has not translated into political influence, as young people remain on the margins of politics. The project, he said, is meant to change that by turning young people and women into responsible, active citizens.

To get there, NEST will seek out young people with an appetite for contesting elections and profile them, weighing their political experience and educational qualifications. Those who make the cut will receive mentorship, motivation, training, advice and specialised assistance.

Banda did not downplay the scale of the challenge.

“It is a tall bar to prepare these people to compete with men and older people who are financially stable, but with one year of discussion on the same matter, and maybe trying to look for more development partners to come and support the initiative, we might secure something for the youths and for the women that can help them to be well prepared for the 2030 elections,” he said.

NEST took the project to the Neno District Executive Committee on Wednesday. The African Union is bankrolling it to the tune of US$30,000, roughly K52 million.

Neno is familiar ground for the organisation. Banda said NEST has been empowering women in the district for years, with more than three of them going on to win parliamentary seats. He is confident that the district’s next milestone is within reach, saying he believes a young man below the age of 35 will soon claim a seat in the National Assembly.

Neno District Council Community Officer Amoss Chandilanga said the project aligns with government’s agenda, and speaks directly to a priority of the council.

“One of the agendas of the council is to help young people taking up leadership positions and making decisions that affect them. With this project that is coming, we now have resources to reach out to the youth to empower them with information and decision-making issues, so that they are able to advocate for themselves and fellow youths,” he said.