ENoP

Training of Women and Youth Leaders at Local Level for Inclusive Democratic Participation
2025-11-01 08:30 - 2026-01-31 17:00 (Africa/Nairobi) | Kenya, Kenya
Building political literacy and leadership skills among women and youth across Kenya’s 27 counties
The Kenya Parliamentary Human Rights Association (KEPHRA), under the WYDE Political Parties Project, is launching a nationwide training initiative designed to strengthen democratic participation among women and youth leaders at the grassroots level.
Over the next three months, county-level trainings will be conducted across 27 counties, engaging 540 participants—20 women and youth leaders per county. These sessions will be facilitated by county-level Trainers of Trainers (ToTs) who co-developed a standardized political training manual during earlier stages of the WYDE Political Parties Project.
The program aims to equip participants with the political literacy, leadership skills, and confidence necessary to engage meaningfully in governance and decision-making processes, while preparing them to contest in the upcoming 2027 General Elections.
Training modules will cover key themes such as political party functions, equality and social justice, the rule of law, economic development, and youth and women’s employment. Through these sessions, participants will build networks, exchange experiences, and strengthen their capacity to influence local governance and policy.
By establishing a vibrant, informed grassroots network of women and youth leaders across Kenya, this initiative reinforces the broader WYDE Political Parties goal: creating more inclusive, representative, and participatory democratic systems.
📍 Coverage: 27 counties across Kenya📅 Timeline: Starting 1st November 2025 Three months (one training per month per county)👥 Organized by: Kenya Parliamentary Human Rights Association (KEPHRA), within the framework of the WYDE Political Parties Project, funded by the European Union and coordinated by ENoP.

Regional Conference in Dakar: Political Alliances and Democratic Governance in West Africa
2025-11-24 08:30 - 2025-11-28 17:00 | Dakar, Dakar
Dakar, Senegal – 24–28 November 2025
From 24 to 28 November 2025, the Regional Conference on Political Alliances and Democratic Governance in West Africa will take place at the Onomo Hotel in Dakar. The event, organised under the WYDE Political Parties Project and co-implemented by the Center Party International Foundation (CIS) and the Institute for Governance and Development (IGD), will bring together political party representatives from Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire for a week of dialogue, exchange, and peer learning.
Understanding the Dynamics of Political Alliances
In contemporary political systems—whether democratic, semi-authoritarian, or in transition—political alliances play a central role in structuring power, strengthening representativeness, and shaping governance. In West Africa, where political competition often takes place in complex socio-political contexts, alliances between parties have become essential instruments to build coalitions, ensure stability, and broaden democratic participation.
The conference will explore the formation, sustainability, and strategic management of political alliances, analysing both their opportunities and their challenges. It aims to deepen understanding of how ideological differences, leadership ambitions, and electoral contexts influence these processes, while promoting constructive dialogue between parties that share democratic aspirations.
A Space for Exchange and Learning
Over five days, participants from major political parties in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire will engage in interactive panels, group work, and simulation exercises designed to enhance their analytical and negotiation skills. The agenda includes discussions on:

The genesis and durability of political alliances;
Inclusion of women and youth in alliance-building processes;
Managing ideological and personal differences within coalitions; and
The role of alliances in consolidating democratic governance.

A simulation on coalition negotiation will allow participants to apply lessons learned in a practical and collaborative setting.
A Regional Platform for Collaboration
This conference represents a milestone for regional cooperation under the WYDE Political Parties Project, offering an opportunity to strengthen relationships between parties across borders and promote inclusive political dialogue in West Africa. The initiative highlights the importance of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and peer learning as key elements for building more accountable and participatory political systems.
The event will also include cultural visits and networking sessions, fostering informal exchanges among participants from diverse ideological backgrounds.

📍 Venue: Dakar, Senegal📅 Dates: 24-28 November 2025👥 Organized by: Implemented by the Institute for Governance and Development (IGD) in partnership with the Center Party International Foundation (CIS), powered by the European Union through the European Network of Political Foundations (ENoP), within the framework of the WYDE – Women and Youth in Democratic Engagement Programme.

Towards Inclusive and Accountable Party Systems: Regional Workshop on Political Party Regulation in Africa
2025-12-01 08:30 - 2025-12-02 17:00 | Sierra Leone, Sierra Leone
ORPPs from Kenya, Malawi and Sierra Leone meet in Freetown to validate findings and advance a shared roadmap for regional collaboration
Representatives from the Offices of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPPs) of Kenya, Malawi and Sierra Leone gathered in Freetown on 1–2 December 2025 for a regional workshop dedicated to strengthening political party regulation and advancing gender and youth inclusion across party systems.
The event — hosted by the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) of Sierra Leone and co-organised by the Christian Democratic International Centre (KIC) and the European Network of Political Foundations (ENoP) under the WYDE Political Parties Project — marked a key milestone in the implementation of a comparative study commissioned by KIC on behalf of the project.

A milestone in validating country findings and building regional alignment
The workshop provided the first in-person platform for ORPP representatives, researchers and partners to validate the preliminary findings of the comparative study examining legal frameworks, institutional mandates and regulatory practices in the three participating countries. A central focus throughout the study has been the mechanisms — and gaps — related to gender and youth inclusion in political parties.
Discussions enabled participants to:

review and affirm country-specific findings from Malawi, Kenya and Sierra Leone
engage in in-depth dialogue on shared challenges and best practices
refine the comparative analysis synthesising data from all three contexts
identify priorities for strengthening regulation, transparency and inclusion

These exchanges underscored the crucial role played by political party regulatory bodies in creating enabling environments for more representative and accountable party systems.

Charting a path toward AAPPRA
A central outcome of the workshop was the collective reflection on the proposed roadmap toward establishing the Africa Association of Political Party Regulatory Authorities (AAPPRA) — a long-term vision aimed at deepening cooperation, harmonising standards and promoting peer learning among national regulators across the continent.
ORPP representatives emphasised how a regional platform could:

facilitate continuous dialogue on regulatory reforms
strengthen institutional capacities
advance gender and youth inclusion standards
support more transparent, credible and accountable party systems

The workshop concluded with an agreement on next steps, including a future hybrid meeting to consolidate recommendations and operationalise the framework for AAPPRA.

Strengthening collaboration for inclusive democratic systems
By bringing together institutions responsible for political party oversight, the workshop reinforced the broader objectives of the WYDE Political Parties Project: to promote inclusive, transparent and accountable political party systems that reflect the voices of women and young people.
Partner organisations expressed their appreciation to PPRC Sierra Leone for hosting the meeting and to all participants for their commitment to advancing regulatory cooperation and democratic resilience in Africa.

Training Workshop in Dakar: Women and Leadership – Breaking Down the Glass Ceiling
2025-12-02 08:30 - 2025-12-04 17:00 | Dakar, Dakar
Dakar, Senegal — 2–4 December 2025
From 2 to 4 December 2025, Dakar will host a three-day regional training workshop titled “Women and Leadership: Breaking Down the Glass Ceiling”, organised by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) in partnership with the European Network of Political Foundations (ENoP) under the WYDE Political Parties Project, funded by the European Union.
The workshop will gather young women leaders from political parties, civil society, local and national institutions, the media, and the entrepreneurial sector, offering a dedicated space to strengthen leadership skills, foster political participation, and build a sustainable network of emerging female leaders.
Women’s Leadership in Senegal: Progress and Persistent Barriers
Senegal is often recognised as a reference point in West Africa for its strong legal and institutional commitments to women’s rights. With the 2001 Constitution enshrining gender equality and the notable 2010 Parity Law, the country has made substantial advances.
However, despite these achievements, women’s political and civic participation continues to fall short of expectations. Many still face social norms, institutional barriers, and the enduring challenges of the “glass ceiling.” While the legal framework is robust, awareness of these rights remains low, and structural constraints continue to limit women’s access to leadership roles.
Promoting women’s leadership is therefore essential for inclusive governance, democratic resilience, and for advancing key Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
A Space for Empowerment, Dialogue, and Practical Skills
Over the three days, the Dakar workshop will provide participants with practical tools and strategic insights to strengthen their leadership and civic engagement. The programme will feature:

Expert-led thematic presentations
Interactive group work and peer exchanges
Experience-sharing sessions and case studies
Practical exercises on leadership and political participation

Activities will encourage reflection on the mechanisms of the glass ceiling and identify concrete levers for both individual and collective empowerment.
Beyond capacity-building, the training aims to foster a dynamic network of young women leaders capable of advocating for inclusive, equitable, and democratic governance across Senegal.
Participants and Target Groups
The workshop will bring together:

Young women leaders from political parties
Young elected officials (local and national)
Women leaders from civil society organisations
Young women entrepreneurs
Journalists and media practitioners

This cross-sector approach ensures diverse perspectives and strengthens the ecosystem of women’s leadership in Senegal.
Visibility and Engagement
Throughout the event, visibility will be ensured through EU, WYDE, ENoP and FNF branding, professional photography, and short video interviews capturing participant perspectives on leadership and participation.
Following the workshop, a wrap-up article, testimonials, and visual highlights will be shared across WYDE and partner communication platforms.
Supporting Inclusive Leadership Across Senegal
This workshop represents a meaningful contribution to advancing women’s political and civic leadership in Senegal. By investing in skills, dialogue, and networks, the initiative supports a new generation of women leaders committed to shaping a more inclusive, equitable, and democratic future.

National Youth League Convention on Strengthening Inner-Party Democracy
2026-01-21 - 2026-01-23 | Sunset Hotel, Kimsu, Kenya
Kimsu, Kenya — 21–24 January 2026
Although youth form the majority in Kenya’s political landscape, they remain underrepresented in party leadership and elected positions. Weak internal party democracy, non-inclusive nomination rules, and manifestos that fail to address their priorities further entrench this exclusion.
KEPHRA is convening a 2-day convention that brings together 2 youth leaders from 27 counties across the country to review core party documents including the manifesto, nomination rules, and internal structures, to ensure they respond to the needs of the youth, while advancing the broader goal of strengthening inner-party democracy.
The goal of this convention is to prepare youth leaders to effectively influence party processes by ensuring manifestos, nomination rules, and internal structures reflect inclusivity and democratic accountability.
Focus areas for the convention will include:

Review of party manifestos for gender priorities.
Assessment of nomination rules for fairness and equity.
Evaluation of internal party structures and representation gaps.

This will be done through document review, group work, plenary dialogues, and action planning. Expected
Outcomes include:

Youth leaders critically analyze party documents through a gender and youth lens.
Gaps and barriers in the manifesto, nomination rules, and party structures are identified.
Proposals for reforms towards inclusive and democratic party practices are developed.

Expected Results include:

A consolidated set of recommendations for strengthening inner-party democracy.
Party statutes reviewed in line with the input from the youth league
Established annual activity plans for the youth league
54 youth leaders equipped to engage their party structures with evidence-based proposals.
Greater readiness of youth to contest and influence decision-making in the 2027 General Elections.

Organizer: Kenya Parliamentary Human Rights Association (KEPHRA)
Participants: United Green Movement Party Youth League

Empowering Young Emerging Political Leadership in Ghana: Inception Workshop
2026-02-10 08:30 - 14:00
The Inception Workshop of the EU WYDE Project in Ghana takes place in Accra, marking the official launch of a new initiative aimed at strengthening the political leadership, skills and engagement of young emerging political actors in Ghana.
Organised by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung – Ghana Office, the event brings together youth leaders from major political party youth wings and student representative bodies, alongside institutional and international partners, under the framework of ENoP’s WYDE Political Parties component, supported by the European Union.
Held at the Fiesta Royale Hotel in Accra, the workshop provides a platform to introduce the project’s objectives, foster dialogue across political affiliations, and highlight the importance of inclusive youth leadership within Ghana’s democratic landscape.
The programme includes opening remarks from KAS Ghana, contributions from the EU Delegation, and a panel discussion titled “Young Emerging Political Leadership in Ghana: Perspectives and Experiences”, featuring representatives from TEIN, TESCON, NUGS and SRC structures. Through these exchanges, participants reflect on the opportunities and challenges young political leaders face today, as well as their role in shaping Ghana’s democratic future.
The initiative responds to a growing interest among young people in political participation, particularly within tertiary institutions, while acknowledging the persistent gaps in leadership training, mentorship, policy literacy, financial management and media engagement. By addressing these challenges, the project seeks to equip young leaders with the skills and networks required to engage meaningfully in political life.
Over the coming months, the project will roll out a series of capacity-building activities, including leadership and communication trainings, financial literacy sessions, policy and advocacy workshops, and a structured mentorship programme connecting youth participants with experienced political leaders across party lines. The process will culminate in a National Youth Political Leadership Forum, providing space for inter-party dialogue and the presentation of youth-led policy proposals.
This inception workshop marks an important first step in building a sustainable and inclusive youth political leadership ecosystem in Ghana, contributing to WYDE’s broader objective of supporting women’s and young people’s democratic engagement across Africa.
