A mentoring and training session for selected youth representatives in the Colombo District was organized under NPC’s ACED project, which is supported by the European Union, and is part of advocacy efforts to promote youth quotas across all tiers of government. It aims to enhance youth participation in electoral processes and empower them to take an active role in shaping democratic governance.

The training programme was conducted for 30 young leaders and facilitated by Dr. Mahesh Senanayake, a senior lecturer at the Department of Political Science and Public Policy, University of Colombo. With his extensive academic expertise, Dr. Senanayake provided in-depth insights into key topics including the electoral system, the significance of democratic participation, the necessity of youth engagement in politics and past experiences and challenges of youth involvement in elections. His multidimensional approach offered participants a comprehensive understanding of democratic practices and electoral dynamics.
The session was interactive, incorporating presentations, group discussions and question and answer sessions to encourage active engagement and critical thinking among participants. The youth representatives were drawn from university and educational institute based youth groups in Colombo, many of whom have been actively involved in advocacy movements and political activism. With their potential to serve as pressure groups in championing youth quotas and political participation, the training session equipped them with the knowledge and skills needed to drive meaningful change.

The initiative was timely due to the upcoming local government elections. The programme aimed to inspire the young leaders to educate and mobilise their communities, ensuring greater youth engagement in the democratic process through advocacy, outreach and grassroots initiatives.