AYFS launched to empower young voices

Islamabad:The Netherlands, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the School of Leadership Foundation (SoLF) launch Adolescent and Youth Friendly Spaces (AYFS) in Islamabad, Peshawar and Quetta, with support of provincial partners including NUML University, Quetta; University of Peshawar and Health Services Academy, Islamabad. These launches mark a key milestone in the four-year initiative, ‘Aghaaz’ that aims to encourage meaningful youth engagement, personal growth, and holistic development.

The ‘Aghaaz’ initiative truly lives up to the essence of its name. This space is more than just a community hub—it's a vibrant platform where adolescents and young people can break free from routine, classroom-style learning to explore a world of fun and engaging activities. It’s a space designed to inspire growth, promote creativity, and empower young minds to learn in innovative and exciting ways. This space also offers psychosocial support and academic counselling, along with opportunities for startups to utilise co-working space at heavily discounted rates as well as event facilities.

In a country where over two-thirds of the population is under 30, this initiative addresses a crucial need to involve youth in constructive and empowering activities. The launch events in all cities brought together adolescents, youth leaders, policymakers, and community stakeholders. Interactive sessions highlighted the diverse opportunities AYFS provides, from psychosocial counselling to skill-building and creative engagements.

“AYFS is a crucial step in providing our youth with the tools and opportunities they need to become active contributors to their communities. These spaces will help shape a generation of confident and informed young leaders,” added Abdullah Shah, Additional Secretary Youth Affairs & Sports, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Sadia Atta, Programme Coordinator, UNFPA Provincial Office, Quetta, remarked, “AYFS represents a bold vision for youth engagement in Pakistan. By providing safe spaces for young people to connect, learn, and grow, we are ensuring that they have the resources to make informed decisions and lead meaningful lives.”

Mariyan Irfan, Managing Director of SoLF, highlighted the significance of these centres, stating, “AYFS is a reflection of our commitment to creating spaces where young people can explore opportunities, build skills, and connect with their peers. These launches in Quetta, Peshawar and Islamabad mark a major step in enabling youth to become active contributors to their communities and society at large.”

With the successful launches of AYFS in Quetta, Peshawar, and Islamabad, the initiative moves closer to building a nationwide network of youth-friendly spaces that focus on health, well-being, and leadership development. The AYFS spaces are now open for adolescents and young people for co-working, events, workshops as well as academic and psychosocial counselling.