Building Bridges for Change: A Spotlight on Tanzania
In the global fight against alcohol misuse and abuse by young people, partnerships play a pivotal role in driving change. Among these partnerships, proudly supported in Tanzania by Serengeti Breweries Limited, Smashed delivery partner Bridge for Change travels across Tanzania, spreading awareness and empowering students to make informed choices. Let’s delve into Bridge for Change’s mission, projects, and future plans within this impactful collaboration.
Bridge for Change (BFC) is a non-governmental organisation led by a team of Tanzanian youth, operating since 2015. BFC empowers young people to recognize their own abilities, identify their problems, and to use the available resources to realise their potential and build a better life for themselves. BFC core values are: learning, passion, innovation, accountability, collaboration, and partnership.
Bridge for Change implements various projects tailored to the needs of Tanzanian communities. These projects encompass educational workshops, awareness campaigns, and interactive initiatives aimed at children and youth. By engaging with students in a relatable and impactful manner, BFC aims to help youth to develop essential life skills and promote responsible decision-making.
The latest achievements include:
50,000 young people demonstrating raised awareness on income-generating activities by stirring them to be at the forefront of addressing climate change.
Over 20,000 students participated in Smashed Live, tackling underage drinking with positive thinking.
Livelihood & Climate Change
This project implemented by BFC is focused on strengthening tangible and intangible assets of youths, enabling them to build the capacity necessary for improving their lives. It seeks to promote the capacity for young people to meaningfully engage in livelihood activities, to work alongside relevant stakeholders, to explore income-generating activities for youth, and encouraging equal access to socio-economic opportunities among youth.
Youth Engagement in Civic Space
This thematic area is designed to amplify the voices of youth in setting their agenda on issues affecting their lives, particularly on leadership, decision making, and participation in climate action, health, and gender mainstreaming, by creating platforms for youth to engage.
Looking ahead, Bridge for Change envisions expanding its reach and impact within Tanzania. With a focus on sustainability and scalability, the organisation aims to develop innovative strategies to reach more communities and amplify their message of positive change.
Further plans include leveraging technology to enhance the delivery of educational content, establishing partnerships with local authorities and institutions, and conducting research to evaluate the effectiveness of their interventions. By continuously evolving and adapting to emerging needs and challenges, Bridge for Change is poised to make enduring contributions to the global effort to combat social issues.
