The National Youth Council (NYC) has disbursed over N$3 million to youth forums funded across the country.

The funding assistance is split between 14 regional forums and 121 constituency youth forums to empower them and mobilise inclusive participation at the grassroots level.

NYC Director Calista Schwartz-Gowases said the grant would see each region get N$20,000 and each constituency youth forum get N$25,000 for development activities.

Schwartz-Gowases applauded members of the youth forums for continuing to represent the voices of young people across the country.

"We take great pride in the youth forums, which truly represent the voices of young people. Under difficult circumstances, young people tirelessly work to ensure that activities in their constituencies take place without receiving any payment. They are voluntarily doing this."

Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts, and Culture Deputy Minister Dino Ballotti used the occasion to urge local and regional councils to emulate the NYC by dedicating a budget for youth development.

"This is what caring for every young person looks like, and it is leadership such as this which is indeed commendable at a time when our government has placed youth development at the centre of our national priority. And now I know the red light is on; the clarion call is that our local authorities, as well as regional councils, replicate and duplicate this and also dedicate a budget to youth programmes in the regions and local authorities."

Ballotti further applauded the NYC for ensuring the youth grant funds are non-repayable.