In Guinea, where over 77 per cent of the population is under 35, youth had long been sidelined and almost entirely excluded from national political dialogue during former President Alpha Condé’s 11-year administration. Young people were widely perceived as threats rather than partners or practitioners in governance, creating a deeply challenging environment for advancing youth political participation.
Despite the presence of a Youth Ministry and efforts to craft youth policies, Government support for genuine youth empowerment remained absent. As one former director at the Ministry of Youth recalled, “For over a decade, we tried to make progress... but the former Governments categorically refused to support a National Action Plan for youth.”
With no formal channels to participate, frustration boiled over. In mining towns like Kolaboui and Kamsar – rich in resources but lacking basic services – unemployment and marginalization drove many youths into protests and unrest. “Young people in the region couldn’t find job opportunities, and communities lacked essential services like clean water, electricity and employment,” said the Mayor of Kolaboui. “So, you can understand how this fuelled deep frustration.”
Faced with mounting obstacles, youth advocates adopted a strategic approach by focusing on building local foundations where barriers were fewer, rather than directly challenging national resistance. The strategy later inspired a PBF-supported project which supports the establishment of youth councils in 20 conflict-prone communities.
More opportunity arrived with the 2021 change of government. The transitional President showed greater openness to youth engagement, creating what many described as a "reset moment". A second PBF-supported project helped operationalize this vision, culminating in the official inauguration of the National Youth Council on September 25, 2023. Today, this council plays a vital role in shaping Guinea's new national youth policy.
This case highlights both the limitations imposed by political contexts and the possibility of progress even in difficult circumstances. By building local foundations during restrictive periods, youth advocates positioned themselves to capitalize on political openings when they appeared.
This is a case study taken from the 2025 Peacebuilding Fund Thematic Review on Youth, Peace and Security (YPS). Explore the full 2025 YPS Thematic Review to see how youth across the world are building peace from the ground up.
Suggested citation: "Laying the groundwork and seizing the moment: grappling with non-permissive environments," United Nations University, UNU-CPR, 2025-06-04, https://unu.edu/cpr/article/laying-groundwork-and-seizing-moment-grappling-non-permissive-environments.
