The Youth Initiatives for Youth Action Foundation (YIYA) is an independent youth-led and youth-serving organisation that is based in Kampala but holds a mandate to serve across the country.

In partnership with Kampabits they train young people, especially young girls, on social enterprising and ICT to teach them software development, graphic and animation skills. In addition, the use games, sports and drama to teach employable skills for all young people. Furthermore YIYA is actively involved in community outreach projects and civic engagement and participation, raising awareness about rights for the youth.

The partnership with Kampabits brought YIYA to the Make 12.4% Work Initiative and they became a member in order to learn more about how to involve the youth and encourage communities, employers and the private sector to bring people with disabilities on board. They are preparing for a Disability Inclusion training to improve their knowledge and work in this area and they are committed to include more young persons with different types of impairments in their activities.

The YIYA Foundation acts as a host for the Uganda National Consortium, which was launched by the African Youth Commission (AYC). The AYC is an independent Pan-African Youth network founded by youth leaders to provide a space and voice for the youth and youth organisations in Africa, to foster synergy amongst them. The National Consortium will serve as an umbrella body to coordinate activities of the AYC member organisations at both the National level as well as promoting and supporting other youth initiatives within the country.

YIYAs central mission is to encourage young people in self-development and create economic initiatives for the community for the betterment of young people’s livelihoods. YIYA adopts an holistic approach in their work. Their main objectives involve amplifying youth voices on issues which affect them as a large vulnerable social grouping in Uganda, encouraging the development of youth-friendly social, economic and physical health policies, and enforcing better health expression. YIYA works towards meaningful participatory engagement of young people in their development processes, advocating and mobilising for greater action. Young people are encouraged to proactively and responsibly get involved at the forefront of national and regional democratic processes.

In order to achieve this, YIYA has several ongoing activities.