SCOUTS South Africa and Ashoka Southern Africa sign strategic partnership to develop South Africa’s next generation of changemakers.
Photo by Mtha Nazo, Ashoka
SCOUTS South Africa and Ashoka Southern Africa have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding that will strengthen youth leadership, social innovation and community impact by equipping young people with the skills and mindset to become changemakers in their communities.
The strategic partnership brings together SCOUTS South Africa’s extensive and long-standing youth development network and Ashoka Southern Africa’s global expertise in social innovation to create new opportunities for young people to lead meaningful change across the country.
Rooted in a shared commitment to youth empowerment, the partnership will integrate changemaking methodologies into Scouting programmes, enabling young people to identify challenges in their communities, design innovative solutions and create sustainable social impact. A changemaker badge will also be included in the coming three years to guide young people through the various stages of community innovation, from identifying local challenges and mapping community needs, to designing solutions and measuring their impact.
Speaking on the partnership, Wayne du Plessis, Chief Executive Officer of SCOUTS South Africa, said: “Scouting develops young people to become active citizens who make a positive contribution to society. This partnership strengthens that mission by equipping our members with additional tools to think creatively, solve problems and lead meaningful change in their communities. The collaboration will provide our Scouting youth and volunteer leaders with access to training, mentorship from Ashoka Fellows and a network of leading social entrepreneurs. Together with Ashoka, we are investing in young people who will help build a better South Africa.”
Chimene Chetty, Regional Director for Ashoka Southern Africa, welcomed the collaboration, saying:” At the intersection of SCOUTS SA’s character building and Ashoka’s changemaker vision lies a world of possibility. This partnership is birthed into and will be built on shared touch points and a mutual reliance on collaboration to drive systems change. We are excited to expand the changemaker movement and cultivate resilience in our youth. We are ready to deliver on our shared agreements, alchemising potential into tangible impact.”
By combining SCOUTS South Africa’s recognised value system and non-formal educational method of learning-by-doing with Ashoka’s Changemaker experience, programmes and tools, the two organisations aim to create measurable outcomes that include stronger leadership, enhanced problem-solving abilities, youth-led innovation and sustainable community projects.
The partnership also creates opportunities to strengthen collaboration with the private sector, government and civil society in support of national priorities around youth development, skills development, entrepreneurship and active citizenship, and represents a shared commitment to ensuring that young people are not only prepared for the future but are empowered to shape it.
Media enquiries: SCOUTS South Africa, [email protected] or 073 127 9356