In many rural communities in Uganda, decisions about local development and public policy are often made without the meaningful participation of the people most affected by them. Women and young people, in particular, face cultural, economic, and informational barriers that prevent them from engaging in decision-making processes.

The Inclusive Participatory Policymaking for Rural Women and Youth project aims to change this reality in Kibaale District by creating practical opportunities for rural women and youth to participate directly in shaping policies that affect their communities.

Through this initiative, the Rural Smiles Foundation is working to build safer spaces for dialogue, strengthen civic knowledge, and bring community members and decision-makers together in structured participatory forums.

The project was developed through the People Powered Inclusive Democracy Accelerator, a global program that supports initiatives working to strengthen participatory governance.

Why this project matters

In Kibaale District, many women and youth rarely participate in local policymaking processes. Cultural norms often discourage them from speaking in public meetings, while economic pressures, transportation challenges, and limited civic information further reduce opportunities for engagement.

As a result, policies and development decisions sometimes fail to reflect the everyday realities and priorities of rural communities.

This project focuses on addressing these barriers by helping communities move from being passive recipients of decisions to active contributors to policymaking.

Who will participate

The project primarily engages:

• Rural women

• Youth and young community leaders

In addition, the project will involve:

• Community leaders

• Civil society organizations

• Local government representatives

• District and sub-county decision-makers

Bringing these groups together helps ensure that conversations move beyond consultation and lead to collaborative problem-solving.

What we will do

The project combines community dialogue, civic education, and structured engagement with policymakers.

Safe-space community dialogues

The first step is to organize separate dialogue sessions for women and youth. These sessions are designed as safe spaces where participants can freely discuss the challenges they face in their communities.

During these dialogues, participants will identify key issues affecting their lives and develop ideas for potential policy solutions.

Civic capacity and leadership training

Participants will receive practical training on:

• How local government decision-making works

• Citizens’ rights and responsibilities

• Advocacy and communication skills

• How to present and defend policy proposals

This training helps participants build the confidence and knowledge needed to engage meaningfully in policymaking processes.

Joint policy dialogue forums

After the initial dialogues and training sessions, the project will bring community members together with local leaders and decision-makers in joint deliberative forums.

In these meetings, women, youth, civil society representatives, and local government officials will:

• Discuss community priorities

• Review ideas generated during the safe-space dialogues

• Co-develop policy recommendations

The goal is to create constructive conversations where communities and authorities work together to find solutions.

Community oversight and accountability

To support transparency and shared ownership of the process, the project will establish an Inclusive Oversight and Steering Committee.

This committee will include representatives from:

• Women’s groups

• Youth leaders

• Community leaders

• Civil society organizations

The committee will guide the process, ensure fair participation, and help maintain accountability throughout the project.

Monitoring and feedback

Participation should not end once recommendations are presented.

The final stage of the project focuses on community monitoring and feedback. Community representatives will track progress on commitments made during the dialogue process and maintain communication with local authorities.

These feedback mechanisms help strengthen trust between communities and government institutions.

What we hope to achieve

Through this project, Rural Smiles Foundation hopes to demonstrate that inclusive participation can strengthen local governance and improve the relevance of public policies.

The project aims to:

• Increase the participation of women and youth in local decision-making

• Strengthen trust between communities and local authorities

• Build civic leadership within rural communities

• Encourage more inclusive policymaking practices at the district level

The initiative focuses on rural communities where participation barriers are often strongest but where inclusive policymaking can have significant impact.