Community Youth Driven Future Initiatives

Community Youth Driven Further Initiatives (CYFI)
Registered with the Registrar of NGOs under the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services
Established with prior recommendation from the Ministry of Health, Ndeke House. Lusaka, Zambia.

Who We Are

Community Youth Driven Further Initiatives (CYFI) is a newly registered, youth-led community organization dedicated to empowering adolescents and young people with accurate, actionable public health information. Born from the grassroots and shaped by the realities young people face today, CYDFI works to strengthen youth leadership in addressing emerging and persistent public health challenges affecting their wellbeing and future.

Our establishment received formal recommendation and support from the Ministry of Health, affirming the importance and relevance of our mission. CYDFI is officially registered with the Registrar of Non-Governmental Organizations under the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services. 

Our Vision

To be among leading Youth-DrivenCommunity Organizations in Zambia fostering young leadership, innovation, and sustainable development through strengthened responses to HIV/AIDS, malaria, non-communicable diseases, and other public health challenges.

Our Mission

To empower adolescents and young people to take charge of their sexual, reproductive health and rights and overall well-being _ recognizing that health is not merely the absence of disease, but a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellness­­through health promotion, education, advocacy, and community-driven solutions to public health challenges affecting them.

Our Focus Areas

CYDFI operates at the intersection of public health, youth empowerment, and climate resilience. Our programming focuses on: 

1. HIV/AIDS Prevention, Treatment, and Care

To increase adolescents and youth participation in HIV/AIDS and other public health prioritiesincluding emerging challenges such as non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and malariaby at least 50% by December 2027 through peer-led health promotion and education sessions, condom distribution, and strengthened referral linkages to health facilities for medical prevention, treatment, and care services.

2. School and Community Programs

To expand and enhance Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) coverage by 50% from initial coverage in supported districts by December 2027 through schools, community centres, churches, and youth clubs, ensuring the deliberate inclusion of marginalized and vulnerable groups such as adolescent girls, young mothers, adolescents with disabilities, and out-of-school youth.

3. Mobile Outreach for SRH and HIV Services

To improve access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and rights and HIV services among adolescents and youths and marginalized populations by coordinating with other organizations and mobile health teams to provide HIV testing, counselling, PrEP, PEP, STI screening, contraception, and menstrual hygiene services.

4. Behavioural Change and Communication

To conduct quarterly youth-led and driven behavioural change campaigns, both in-person and digital platforms, by June 2026 to reach at least 5,000 youths annually with messages promoting safe sexual practices, reducing stigma, and encouraging healthier lifestyle choices.

5. Youth Leadership and Advocacy

To establish and strengthen a youth leadership and advocacy program by December 2026 that equips at least 100 young leaders with practical skills in public health policy engagement, resource mobilization, and partnership building, and ensures their active participation in at least one local or national policy dialogue each year.  

Our Approach

Youth-Led, Youth-Informed

CYFI places young people at the centre of planning, implementation, and evaluation to ensure interventions are relevant, inclusive, and sustainable.

Community-Rooted

We engage schools, communities, health facilities, traditional leaders, and parents to create supportive environments where young people can thrive.

Evidence-Based

Our strategies draw from national health priorities, global best practices, and locally generated data to ensure high-impact programming.

Partnership-Driven

We collaborate closely with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, civil society, and community groups to scale youth empowerment initiatives.

Our Current Priorities

·       Establishing peer-education networks for HIV and NCD prevention.

·       Developing youth-friendly public health education materials.

·       Implementing climate and health awareness campaigns in schools and communities.

·       Building capacity of youth champions to lead community health dialogues.

·       Strengthening referral linkages between young people and health facilities for early detection and treatment.

Institutional Strengths

·       Government Endorsement: Formal recommendation from the Ministry of Health prior to registration.

·       Legal Status: Fully registered NGO under the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services.

·       Youth Leadership: Managed and led by young professionals committed to community transformation.

·       Community Trust: Strong grassroots presence and connection to adolescents in underserved areas.

·       Flexibility and Innovation: Ability to pilot, scale, and adapt interventions quickly. 

Why partner with us

·       CYFI brings a fresh, youthful, community-driven perspective to public health challenges.

·       Our work responds directly to SDGs 3, 4, and 13 and aligns with Zambia’s national health priorities, including HIV prevention, NCD control, adolescent health, and climate resilience.

·       We offer funders and partners a committed platform for impactful investment in Zambia’s youth; the heart of the nation’s long-term health, development, and climate resilience.