Introduction

The Concerned Youth Organisation (CYO) is a local non-governmental organization that was established in 2002, dedicated to improve the socioeconomic challenges faced by children, youth, and women. Our mission is to promote sustainable development by addressing socio-economic challenges in education, health, climate change, food security and gender equality.

Initially founded in Blantyre City, CYO has since expanded its operations to encompass both urban and rural areas, extending its work to Blantyre Rural, Balaka, Machinga, Mchinji, and Neno. Currently headquartered in Mpingwe, Limbe, within Blantyre City.

CYO’s founding members envisioned a platform to advocate for and uplift the marginalized segments of society, actively engaging them in the developmental discourse. Through targeted initiatives, we strive to empower youth, children, and women, enabling them to become agents of positive and sustainable change in their communities.

Background

The Concerned Youth Organisation (CYO) stands as a recognized and duly registered Local NGO within the governance framework of Malawi. Our legal status is affirmed by our registration under the Trustees Incorporation Act with the Government of Malawi, as well as our accreditation with key regulatory bodies such as the NGO Regulatory Authority (NGORA) in Malawi and the National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM) under the National Youth Act. Additionally, CYO is affiliated to the Council for Non-Governmental Organisations of Malawi (CONGOMA).

In alignment with our commitment to collaboration and collective action, CYO maintains membership with various networks, including the National Youth Network (NYN), National Youth Network on Climate Change (NYNCC), Coordination Union for Rehabilitation of the Environment (CURE), Civil Society Education Coalition (CSEC), Civil Society Network at District and City level, member of Various Technical Working Group at district level, and membership with a regional network; Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELLUM). These affiliations strengthen networking and collaboration with like-minded institutions in addressing multifaceted challenges and amplify our impact across diverse sectors.

Over the course of our operational journey, CYO has continuously strived to refine its organizational ethos and practices. We aspire to embody professionalism, inclusivity, sustainability, and innovation in all facets of our work. Guided by a rights-based approach, we advocate for equitable principles to underpin the actions of institutions at every level. Our unwavering dedication to these values serves as a testament to our enduring commitment to catalyze positive change and foster holistic development within our communities.