Challenges

Zambia, with 46 per cent of its population under 15 years old1, faces the youth bulge phenomenon – a demographic pattern where a large share of the population is comprised of children and youth. In the Western Province and its capital Mongu, this number is estimated to be even larger due to region’s economic conditions, which negatively impacts social relationships. Since Zambia ranks among the poorest countries experiencing the youth bulge, this poses challenges to youth’s access to education, as well as extracurricular and leisure activities, including sports. Consequently, many young people, especially those from underprivileged families, have very limited options for personal development. 

Toward a Solution

The Skate World Better NGO (SWB) from the Czech Republic aims to react to the youth bulge phenomenon by creating opportunities for young people to spend leisure time and develop their skills in a safe environment. For SWB, skateboarding serves as a platform for engaging children of all ages. Having previously completed two projects in Mozambique in 2019, the SWB team cooperates with a large network of global volunteers from Wonders Around the World. The project in Mozambique was the first of its kind for SWB, allowing it to gain experience working in an LDC environment. SWB’s latest project in Zambia, which won the support of Czech-UNDP Partnership’s Challenge Fund, builds on the lessons learned and experiences obtained in Mozambique. Thanks to the Fund, the project in Mongu allows We Skate Mongu (WSM), a local Zambian partner, to increase the impact of its activities with a world-class Lukaba Hande2 skatepark on a relatively modest budget. 

The Youth Community Centre in Mongu, Zambia provides a multifunctional community space, where similar youth-focused infrastructure was missing. The project’s goal is to give local youth a space to meet, skate, socialize and learn in a safe environment, regardless of their background. Lukaba Hande is open to all children who wish to participate. On average, 700 boys and girls come to the park every week to skate and socialize, using the shared skateboards available. 

More than a skatepark, Lukaba Hande has become a meeting hub. For instance, a local hospital uses the location to hold seminars on HIV prevention, and a local craft shop organizes workshops to teach youngsters about their region’s traditions and history. The involvement of local actors helps to ensure project’s sustainability. 

The new facility is the first of its kind in Zambia, and one of the largest on the African continent. It consists of an 800 m² skatepark, an elevated stage and an adjacent building, with the latter two also serving as a space for educational activities, seminars, lectures and discussions. The project addresses SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and others such as SDG 4, SDG 10 and SDG 11. By providing a safe space for youth to socialize and learn, it also supports the IPOA Priority Area 5 (Human and social development), particularly when it comes to youth development, gender equality and the empowerment of women.   

All four participating countries (the Czech Republic, Mozambique, Uganda, Zambia) played a key role in supporting the project in Zambia: 

• The Czech NGO SWB facilitated triangular cooperation and networking between We Stake Mongu (WSM) in Zambia and Maputo Skate in Mozambique. SWB also played a key role in the construction itself, and in obtaining funding from the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs via the UNDP’s Challenge Fund modality. 
• After completing the first skatepark in Mozambique with Skate World Better, the Maputo Skate NGO (Mozambique) was eager to help with the Mongu project. Although the COVID-19 pandemic impeded the visit, Maputo Skate NGO provided online guidance and mentoring to We Skate Mongu (WSM), both in the planning phase and later during construction, based on the lessons learned while implementing their similar project. Social media was used for communication. 
• The Uganda Skateboard Society visited Mongu and worked with SWB and WSM for three weeks at the construction site, learning some of the construction techniques during the implementation in Mongu. Back in Uganda, they are constructing a similar project – a mini skatepark.  
• Local Zambian partner We Skate Mongu (WSM) is a grassroots organization dedicated to skateboarding and working with children. During the project, WSM’s soft skills, such as its knowledge of local conditions and relationship-building efforts, were crucial to the project’s execution and sustainability. WSM found the most suitable location for the park and facilitated negotiations with local authorities, while its sheer voluntary involvement in the construction helped to convince the local community to accept and support the project. WSM is also responsible for skatepark maintenance and scaling up its impact, via curating the extracurricular activities in the space, and gives lectures on topics such as community responsibility, equality, HIV prevention, etc. 

A pioneer since 2018, the Czech-UNDP Partnership’s Challenge Fund (CF) helps to achieve SDGs and tackle specific developmental challenges in partner countries. Via the CF, innovative solutions from the private sector, NGOs, universities, public institutions, research?centres?and individuals are supported with up to 80 per cent funding. All CF projects consist of solutions applicable both at the country and sub-regional level.