Age
14
Country of Residence
Nigeria
Founding Story: What was the spark that led you to start your project? What was the "Aha!" moment that led you to get started and see the potential for this to succeed?
What Was the Spark That Led Me to Start My Project? Introduction The spark that led me to start my project on Youth Civic Leadership and Community Development: Empowering Young People to Create Positive Change was my desire to understand how ordinary people, especially young people, can contribute to making their communities better. I began to reflect on the challenges facing society and the important role that responsible citizens can play in solving them. I realised that many of the problems around us require more than complaints; they require people who are willing to take responsibility, work together, and develop practical solutions. As a young person, I believe that leadership should not be limited to adults or people holding important positions. Young people also have ideas, creativity, energy, and the ability to influence others positively. This understanding inspired me to develop a project that explores civic leadership and encourages young people to become active participants in community development. Recognising the Need for Change One of the things that inspired my project was the realisation that community problems can affect everyone's quality of life. Issues such as improper waste disposal, environmental pollution, lack of community participation, disrespect for public property, and limited awareness of civic responsibilities can make it difficult
How do you encourage other people to join your project or learn about the problem you’re working on? If you have a new idea, tell us how you will do this in the future.
I plan to encourage others to join my project through social media, school discussions, posters, and community awareness campaigns. I will explain the importance of environmental cleanliness and civic responsibility and show young people how small actions can create positive change. I will also invite students, teachers, and community volunteers to participate in activities and share ideas. As my project grows, I hope to build a team that inspires more young people to become responsible leaders and work together to create cleaner, healthier communities.
How many people are on your team?
1
Impact: How has your project created impact / made a difference so far? Or, if at an early stage, what will impact look like?
How Has My Project Created Impact? My project, Youth Civic Leadership and Community Development: Empowering Young People to Create Positive Change, aims to create a positive impact by addressing improper waste disposal and encouraging young people to take greater responsibility for their communities. One of the major ways my project creates impact is by raising awareness about environmental cleanliness. Through educational messages, posters, and community awareness activities, I aim to help people understand the importance of proper waste disposal and the dangers of littering. This knowledge can encourage individuals to develop better habits and contribute to a cleaner environment. Another important impact is encouraging young people to participate in community development. My project promotes the idea that young people do not have to wait until they become adults or occupy important positions before making a difference. They can begin by taking responsibility for their surroundings, encouraging their peers to act responsibly, and participating in approved My project also promotes leadership, teamwork, and accountability. By involving young people in planning awareness campaigns and environmental activities, I aim to help them develop communication, problem-solving, and organisational skills. These skills can prepare them to become responsible citizens
Project Category
My project is a brand new / emerging idea
Project Stage
Idea (We’re hoping to get started in the future)
Project Summary: Describe your project in one sentence
Carnegie Challenge for Civic Leadership Introduction Civic leadership is the ability to guide, inspire, and encourage people to participate in activities that improve their communities and society. The Carnegie Challenge for Civic Leadership focuses, as discussed in this project, on developing leadership skills, promoting responsible citizenship, and encouraging people, especially young people, to solve problems in their communities.
Project title
Carnegie challenge for civic leadership
The Problem: What problem are you helping to solve? Why does it matter to you and your community?
What Problem Am I Helping to Solve, and Why Does It Matter in My Community? The problem my project is helping to solve is improper waste disposal and the lack of civic responsibility among community members, especially young people. These problems can affect the cleanliness, safety, and development of our community. Through my project, Youth Civic Leadership and Community Development, I want to encourage young people to take responsibility for their surroundings and participate in activities that bring positive change. In many communities, waste is sometimes dumped in gutters, roadsides, and other public spaces. This can make the environment dirty, block drainage systems, contribute to flooding, and create conditions that encourage pests and disease. Another problem is that some people believe community development is solely the responsibility of the government or community leaders. As a result, they may not participate in activities that could improve their surroundings. This shows the need for greater awareness of civic duties, teamwork, and responsible citizenship. This problem matters in my community because everyone deserves to live in a clean, safe, and healthy environment. When people dispose of waste properly and work together to maintain public spaces, the entire community benefits.
Website URL(s) or social media handles.
Facebook:Shalom pretty
What’s Next: What are the next steps you plan to take to grow or strengthen your project over the next year? If your project is still in the idea stage, describe the steps you will take over the next three months to launch or begin developing it.
Over the next three months, I plan to develop my idea into a practical project. First, I will research environmental sanitation challenges in my community and identify the areas that need improvement. Next, I will build a team of students, teachers, and community volunteers to help plan the project. I will seek permission and support from relevant authorities, prepare awareness materials, and organise a small environmental cleanliness campaign. Finally, I will gather feedback, evaluate the results, and use what I learn to improve the project and plan future activities. My goal is to create a sustainable initiative that empowers young people to become responsible civic leaders and make a positive difference in their communities.
Your Innovation: What is different about your project compared to other programs or solutions already out there? How is your project new or innovative?
My project is different because it combines environmental cleanliness with youth civic leadership. Instead of only raising awareness, it encourages young people to take practical action, work as a team, and develop leadership skills while solving community problems. It focuses on small, affordable actions that can inspire lasting change.
Your Solution: How are you solving this problem? Share your specific solution.
My Solution and How I Am Solving This Problem 1. Introduction My project, Youth Civic Leadership and Community Development: Empowering Young People to Create Positive Change, focuses on addressing improper waste disposal and the lack of civic responsibility among young people and other members of the community. These problems can affect the cleanliness, safety, and overall development of a community. I believe that everyone has a responsibility to contribute to making their environment better, and young people should be encouraged to take an active role in achieving this goal. My solution is to introduce a youth-led civic awareness and environmental cleanliness campaign that educates people about proper waste disposal, encourages community participation, and develops leadership skills among young people. Through education, teamwork, volunteering, and practical activities, I aim to show that community problems can be addressed when people work together. I understand that I cannot solve every environmental problem in my community alone. However, I believe that starting with a manageable project can inspire others, encourage responsible behaviour, and create a foundation for long-term improvement. 2. Understanding the Problem Before developing my solution, I considered the problems I wanted to address. Improper waste disposal is an environmental concern that can affect both residents and the wider community. When rubbish is thrown into gutters, drainage channels, roadsides, and other public spaces, it can make the environment unattractive and contribute to blocked drainage systems. Blocked drainage can increase the risk of flooding during heavy rainfall. Poor waste management can also create conditions that attract pests.
Your team: What role(s) do your team members play? How do you share leadership with them?
I would like to have students, teachers, community leaders, environmental sanitation officers, and youth volunteers on my team. They would help me plan activities, raise awareness, organise cleanups, and encourage responsible citizenship. Together, we can develop practical solutions and inspire young people to create positive change in their communities.
