Youth of Bargny Leading Public Space Transfromation

Youth of Bargny
Leading Public Space Transfromation

18 June 2024, Nairobi. – Bargny is a city in Senegal where around 70,000 people live. It’s a place with a rich history of farming and fishing. But lately, things have been tough for the people there. Over the years, many big projects have taken away their land and hurt their way of life.

First, in 1984, a big cement factory was built, which caused problems for the villagers. Then, in 2008, a coal plant was planned, and the residents have been fighting against it ever since. In 2014, construction started on a fancy new area meant for wealthy people and foreign investors, making things even harder for the local community.

On top of all this, the city has been dealing with serious coastal erosion for the past ten years, and now there’s a plan to build a new port for minerals and bulk goods. The people of Bargny are facing many challenges, and their community is struggling because of these challenges.

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The municipality of Bargny decided to take on these challenges and make the city more inclusive and youth-friendly. To do this, they applied for a global call for proposals led by UN-Habitat and funded by Fondation Botnar. Their goal was to become a city where the project Young Gamechangers Initiative will be implemented between 2023 and 2026.

The Young Gamechangers Initiative (YGI) is designed to improve the health and well-being of young people in Bargny. This project will actively involve the youth in city planning and governance, ensuring their voices are heard. It will focus on creating inclusive public spaces where everyone feels welcome and safe. Additionally, YGI will encourage young people to participate through digital platforms, making it easier for them to share their ideas and get involved in their community.

By implementing YGI, Bargny aims to empower its youth, giving them the tools and opportunities to shape their future and create a city that is vibrant, healthy, and inclusive for all.

From Baseline Study to City-Wide Public Space Assessment

However, it is just the beginning. More information will be collected throughout the Initiative, especially perspectives from the young people themselves. These insights will be added to this ongoing documentation in subsequent phases of the Youth Gamechangers Initiative. The goal is to create a comprehensive and dynamic understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by the youth of Bargny, ensuring their active involvement and empowerment in shaping their community’s future.

The project team from UN-Habitat Headquarters in Nairobi began their work by conducting an online workshop with the municipality of Bargny. This workshop was part of a baseline study – Understanding Youth Health and Wellbeing Ecosystem analysis. The study aims to understand the support environment that young people in Bargny experience during their developmental journey.

The resulting report, “Youth Health & Wellbeing Ecosystem in Bargny,” summarizes information and data collected from various sources, which provides valuable insights into the current state of youth health and wellbeing in Bargny.

Building First Datasets about Bargny with Young People

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Forging Alliances with Local Youth

From Studio II: Site-Specific Assessment to Voting

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Young Gamechangers of Barny

Want to know more about Young Gamechangers Initiative in Bargny? Explore the YGI Country’s Profile:

Want to know more about Young Gamechangers Initiative? Navigate to the YGI Homepage: