The Youth Empowerment and Transformation Trust (YETT) is a youth networking organisation committed to the participation of young people in sustainable development through advocacy and capacity building of youth organisations in Zimbabwe. It started operating in 2004 when consultations were made with partner organisations (HEKS Interchurch Swiss Agency, Bethlehem Mission Immense and the Fund for Development and Partnership in Africa (FEPA)) to develop a common approach to conflict transformation for the reconstruction of Zimbabwe. This was done through the creation of a joint youth initiative which led to the coining of the Youth Empowerment and Transformation Programme. This was registered as a trust in May 2009, becoming YETT.
The organisation exists primarily to serve young people and youth organisations in Zimbabwe, ensuring that they are involved in all aspects of development without resorting to violent means. They work with youth-led organisations that work directly with marginalised young people in urban and rural areas.
YETT carries out work to build the capacity of youth organisations in Zimbabwe. Image credit: YETTYETT's key objectives are tied to its major programme activities and can be summarised as:
- Engage in policy advocacy in order to create an environment conducive to youth participation in national discourse so as to ensure youth development.
- Strengthening the capacity of youth and youth organisations to deliver national development through training and technical support.
- Building a just, inclusive and prosperous society where young people fully participate and lead in sustainable development.
- YETT's core values are fairness, participation, transparency, accountability, commitment, integrity, cooperation, and inclusiveness.
