Between 22 and 29 June, WFAD’s partner Renaissance Africaine (RENAF) organised a series of community roundtables across South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as part of Voices for Change: Empowering Youth and Civil Society for Inclusive Prevention and Reintegration, a project funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

Held in Kalehe, Katana, Kamanyola, and Bukavu, the roundtables brought together youth representatives, civil society organisations, community leaders, health professionals, and other local stakeholders to discuss how communities can strengthen prevention and better support young people affected by substance use.

Throughout the discussions, participants explored the realities facing young people in South Kivu. They identified several factors contributing to substance use, including poverty, unemployment, school dropout, displacement, ongoing conflict, psychological trauma, and the availability of illicit substances. Participants also discussed the broader impact on individuals, families, and communities, highlighting challenges related to mental health, social exclusion, family breakdown, and community safety.

The final roundtable, held in Bukavu on 29 June, concluded with recommendations aimed at strengthening prevention efforts and improving support for young people. Participants emphasised the importance of expanding prevention initiatives, improving access to mental health and addiction services, strengthening community awareness, and creating more opportunities for social reintegration. They also recognised the important role that young people themselves can play in promoting prevention and supporting positive change within their communities.

By bringing together young people, community leaders, civil society organisations, and local stakeholders, the roundtables created an opportunity to exchange experiences, identify shared challenges, and encourage collaboration. The discussions contribute to the Voices for Change project’s broader objective of empowering young people, strengthening civil society, and promoting more inclusive approaches to prevention and reintegration.

In December 2025, WFAD launched the three-year project Voices for Change: Empowering Youth and Civil Society for Inclusive Prevention and Reintegration. The project is being implemented in Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, and Uganda together with our East African Liaison, the WFAD DRC Office, and partners C-SEMA and Uganda Youth Development Link (UYDEL). It is funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).