Youth Advocates
When a young person reaches out, something changes.
Youth Advocates builds the national support system that moves young people from crisis to stability to economic independence through one integrated pathway.
1 in 4
young people face mental health challenges with no support
56%
of new HIV infections occur in people aged 15–24
1 in 3
young women and men experience GBV before the age of 18
0
integrated youth support systems at national scale, until now
The Challenge
Zimbabwe's NEET Crisis
Almost half of Zimbabwe's youth population, 49.2% of those aged 15 to 35, are categorised as NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training). This critical demographic challenge disproportionately impacts young women, who face a significantly higher NEET rate compared to their male peers.
49.2%
Overall Youth NEET Rate
Approximately 49.2%–50% of youths aged 15–35 are Not in Education, Employment, or Training.
2.5M+
Zimbabweans Affected
More than 2.5 million Zimbabweans aged 15–34, with about 1.5 million aged 15–24.
57.4%
Female NEET Rate
Compared to 40.4% for males, driven by early pregnancies, child marriage, and lower STEM participation.
Drivers of NEET per Zimstat & ILO
Discouraged Job Seekers
Nearly a third of the potential labour force consists of discouraged youths who have given up looking for formal work due to a lack of openings.
Informal Economy Dependence
Many young Zimbabweans are "working" in unpaid informal labour, general hand work, or struggling to scale small enterprises due to limited access to capital.
Structural Barriers
Interruptions to schooling and a skills mismatch between educational outputs and modern industry demands.
One Integrated Pathway
From Crisis to Independence
Not a project. A system. Every step connects to the next.
Crisis
A young person reaches out
Access
Immediate human connection
Support
Structured recovery
Transition
Skills and stability
Independence
Economic agency
How It Works
Three Components. One System.
Not separate projects. One integrated model where every component feeds the next.
Always On. Always Human.
Free, confidential, 24/7. Voice, WhatsApp, chatbot, and IVR in Shona, Ndebele, and English. Every contact is human-supported. 72-hour case follow-up is standard.
Volunteer →Where Recovery Becomes a Future.
Community-based transition centres, not shelters. Skills training, SRHR services, and peer mentorship under one roof. Peer mentors are paid staff. Exit outcomes tracked at 6 and 12 months.
Find a Hub Near You →Reaching Young People Before Crisis.
Social behaviour change that reaches young people before crisis strikes, across digital and community channels. Aligned with UNICEF SBC standards and SADC regional frameworks.
Learn More →150K+
young people reached annually
85%
report reduced distress after support
6
countries in the regional model
72h
average crisis-to-stable referral time
Where We Work
Active across East & Southern Africa.
Zimbabwe
Where YAZ Began
Uganda
Where We Work
Kenya
Where We Work
Zambia
Where We Work
Botswana
Where We Work
Malawi
Where We Work
Real Stories
Real People. Real Change.
"I thought there was no one. Then I called 393."
Called at 2am during a family crisis. Within 48 hours she had a counsellor, a safety plan, and a referral to legal aid. Now completing A-levels and training as a peer mentor.
"The Hub gave me somewhere to go after the shelter. A real next step."
GBV survivor who completed trauma counselling. Hope Hub Mbare connected him to a digital skills programme and a micro-enterprise grant. Now runs a mobile repair business employing two people.
Our Partners
Built to Scale, Together
Our partners are not logos. They are the architecture behind the work.
UNICEF
Egmont Trust
HIVOS
UNFPA
Johnson & Johnson
Bantwana
Ministry of Health
NAC
SADC
Amplify Change
Zim-Ttech
ZNFPC
Zimbabwe Government
UNICEF
Egmont Trust
HIVOS
UNFPA
Johnson & Johnson
Bantwana
Ministry of Health
NAC
SADC
Amplify Change
Zim-Ttech
ZNFPC
Zimbabwe Government
Opportunities
Join the team.
From Crisis to Independence. One Integrated Pathway.
Ready to build this with us?
Whether you are a young person who needs support, a partner who wants to invest, or an organisation that wants to connect, there is a place for you in this system.
