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Forum of National Volunteering Agencies in West Africa

At the 6th Annual Forum of National Volunteer Agencies organised by ECOWAS in Cotonou, Francis Chuks Njoaguani, Director of the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre, highlighted the crucial role of volunteering in youth development. He noted that young people account for nearly 70 per cent of the ECOWAS population and described the centre’s efforts to support them through various projects, including a volunteer programme launched in 2004 to assist post-conflict member states with development, peace-building and reconciliation. The forum, which focused on innovation in volunteering, brought together national volunteer agencies, ECOWAS National Units and civil society organisations to explore new ways of enhancing volunteering in the region. Group sessions focused on youth employability, mentoring and coaching, volunteer coordination, and resource mobilisation to broaden the scope of volunteering. A key event is the launch of a guide to best practices in volunteering, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, which can serve as a tool for responding to epidemics in the region.