Young people taking part in Botswana’s Empower+ Project have been encouraged to look beyond education and employment opportunities as they prepare to travel abroad for an international learning experience. Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs, Hon. Lesego Chombo, urged the participants to use their time abroad to discover their talents, understand their purpose and gain experiences that can contribute to their personal growth and the development of their communities. She made the remarks during a pre-departure ceremony for a group of young people preparing to travel to Romania, Greece, Italy and Mauritius under the Empower+ Project. The programme provides participants with an opportunity to learn from different communities and countries while developing skills that can support stronger youth participation in rural development. The Minister’s message placed particular emphasis on personal initiative, networking, teamwork and the importance of returning home with knowledge that can benefit Botswana.
The Empower+ Project is designed to foster the development of Rural Youth Parliaments in Sub-Saharan African countries, with a focus on strengthening youth participation in rural communities. For the young people selected to participate, the programme offers more than an opportunity to travel internationally because it creates a platform for learning, cultural exchange and leadership development. Minister Chombo encouraged the participants to approach the experience with an open mind and to take advantage of opportunities that may arise during their time abroad. She urged them to identify their individual talents and consider how those abilities could be developed into meaningful opportunities in the future. By actively engaging with the programme, the participants can gain experiences that could influence their careers, leadership journeys and contributions to their communities.
Minister Chombo also highlighted the importance of teamwork and knowledge sharing among the participants. She reminded the young people that individual achievement becomes more meaningful when people work together and share what they have learned with others. In encouraging collaboration, she stated that, “one can stand tall but cannot stand alone,” reinforcing the importance of relationships and collective effort. The message is particularly relevant to a programme focused on rural youth participation because effective community development requires young people to work together towards common goals. The participants were therefore encouraged to support one another, exchange ideas and ensure that the lessons gained from the programme benefit more than just the individuals who have been selected.
The Minister further encouraged the group to use their international exposure as an opportunity to build valuable networks. Meeting young people, organisations and community leaders from other countries can help participants understand different approaches to leadership, development and community participation. Chombo urged them to observe how other nations operate and identify ideas that could potentially be adapted to benefit themselves and Botswana. She also called on the participants to become more independent and take responsibility for their own lives rather than waiting for opportunities to come to them. Developing this sense of initiative can help young people become more confident in identifying opportunities, pursuing their goals and making constructive contributions to society.
Gender representation was another important issue raised during the pre-departure ceremony. Minister Chombo commended Tlokweng District Council and the Member of Parliament for Tlokweng, Hon. Phenyo Segokgo, for promoting gender parity in the selection of the cohort. The group consists of eight females and five males, demonstrating a strong representation of young women in the programme. Chombo noted that women remain underrepresented in many leadership positions and stressed that more needs to be done to create pathways for women to participate meaningfully in leadership. She reaffirmed the Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs’ commitment to promoting youth leadership development and creating opportunities that enable young people, particularly young women, to develop their leadership potential.
The focus on gender parity is significant because leadership opportunities can influence the ability of young people to participate in decisions that affect their communities. Providing young women with access to international learning experiences can help strengthen their confidence, skills and understanding of leadership. It can also expose participants to different models of community participation and demonstrate how young people can contribute to decision-making processes. The Empower+ Project therefore provides an important platform for participants to develop both practical knowledge and leadership experience. Continued investment in programmes that give young people meaningful responsibilities can help build a stronger pipeline of future community and national leaders in Botswana.
Project Legal Entity Representative Ms. Boitumelo Leshiba provided further details about the Empower+ Project during the ceremony. She explained that the initiative is a 24-month learning programme running from November 1, 2025 to October 2027. The project is co-funded by the European Union and implemented by Tlokweng District Council, with its activities extending beyond Botswana through partnerships involving countries such as Romania, Greece, Nigeria and Madagascar. According to Leshiba, participants were selected through the Village Development Committee as part of efforts to promote youth participation in rural communities. The selection process places the programme within a broader effort to ensure that young people from rural areas have opportunities to participate in leadership, learning and development initiatives.
The international dimension of the Empower+ Project gives participants an opportunity to compare experiences across different countries and communities. Exposure to different social and development environments can help young people understand that communities can address similar challenges through different strategies. Participants can also develop stronger communication and interpersonal skills by interacting with people from different cultural backgrounds. These experiences may help them return to their communities with fresh perspectives that can inform local initiatives and encourage greater youth involvement. The success of such an exchange, however, will depend on how effectively participants share their experiences and apply the knowledge gained once they return to Botswana.
Member of Parliament for Tlokweng, Hon. Phenyo Segokgo, also congratulated Minister Chombo on the Youth Policy and praised her leadership and understanding of issues affecting young people. He highlighted the progress already made through youth-focused initiatives in Tlokweng, noting that more than 600 young people in the area have received training in various fields. Segokgo expressed a desire to extend these initiatives to other areas so that more young people can access training and development opportunities. He urged the Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs to continue championing programmes that equip young people with practical skills and opportunities for personal development. His remarks highlighted the importance of expanding successful youth programmes beyond individual communities so that their benefits can reach a wider population.
The Empower+ Project comes at a time when youth development remains an important part of Botswana’s broader efforts to strengthen communities and create opportunities for young people. Programmes that combine leadership development, international exposure, skills development and community participation can help young people build the confidence and capabilities needed to contribute to their communities. The involvement of local structures such as District Councils and Village Development Committees can also help ensure that programmes respond to the needs of rural communities. At the same time, partnerships with international organisations and participating countries can expand the range of knowledge and experiences available to young participants. These combined efforts can help create young leaders who are better prepared to identify challenges, develop solutions and take responsibility for positive change.
As the Empower+ Project cohort prepares to travel to Romania, Greece, Italy and Mauritius, Minister Chombo’s message places responsibility firmly in the hands of the participants. They have been encouraged not simply to complete a learning programme but to use the experience to discover their talents, build relationships, develop independence and identify their purpose. The knowledge and networks gained abroad could become valuable resources for their communities if participants actively share their experiences and turn lessons into practical initiatives. The programme also demonstrates the value of investing in rural youth and creating opportunities for young people to take part in leadership and development processes. With the Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs, Tlokweng District Council and other partners supporting the initiative, the Empower+ Project cohort now has an opportunity to turn international exposure into meaningful personal and community development as they embark on this important journey.
