The Youth Café, a leading youth-led organization advancing meaningful participation, leadership, and socio-economic empowerment across Africa, has unveiled a robust Environmental & Social Management System (ESMS) Framework. This new policy underscores the organization’s commitment to sustainability, ethical practice, and inclusive development in all its programs and partnerships.
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https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FFl5fuaJLSI-3xKLUzcuRImtyU8D5boN/view?usp=drive_link
A Holistic Approach to Sustainable Impact
The ESMS ensures that every project—from design to completion—integrates environmental and social (E&S) considerations. It aligns with international standards such as the IFC Performance Standards and national regulatory requirements, while reflecting the organization’s core mission of empowering young people.
Key focus areas include:
Climate Action & Sustainability: Supporting community climate projects and global advocacy.
Youth Empowerment: Strengthening education, skills development, entrepreneurship, and governance.
Social Inclusion: Promoting gender equality, preventing gender-based violence, and safeguarding vulnerable groups.
Peace & Security: Building community resilience and supporting youth-led conflict resolution.
Clear Standards and Safeguards
The framework lays out strict requirements for risk assessment, due diligence, and compliance. It prohibits activities such as child or forced labour, environmental destruction, or exploitation, and requires partners to adopt policies on occupational health and safety, waste management, and stakeholder engagement.
Projects are screened and categorized—High, Medium, or Low risk—ensuring that only initiatives with manageable or minimal risks move forward. Regular monitoring, reporting, and independent audits keep programs accountable and transparent.
Inclusive Engagement and Grievance Mechanism
Stakeholder participation is central to the ESMS. Communities, youth, and partners are consulted early and often, with information shared in timely and culturally appropriate ways. A dedicated Grievance Redress Mechanism allows anyone—from staff to community members—to raise concerns confidentially and receive a prompt, impartial response.
Ongoing Commitment to Improvement
The Youth Café will review and update the ESMS annually, incorporating lessons learned and emerging best practices. Dedicated E&S officers, external experts, and senior management oversee implementation to maintain high standards of environmental and social responsibility.
About The Youth Café
The Youth Café is a regional youth-led organization working across Africa to champion climate action, education, governance, entrepreneurship, gender equality, and peacebuilding. Through advocacy, training, research, and community-driven initiatives, it continues to empower thousands of young people as agents of positive change.