TWELFTH MEETING OF THE REGIONAL COORDINATION COUNCIL OF THE ECOWAS VOLUNTEERS PROGRAMME

The twelfth meeting of the Regional Coordination Council of the ECOWAS Volunteers Programme is being held from March 31 to April 2, 2026, at Zuma Rock Resort, near Abuja, bringing together key stakeholders involved in promoting volunteerism in West Africa.

This strategic meeting provides a valuable platform for dialogue and consultation, which is aimed at strengthening the impact of the ECOWAS Volunteers Programme in promoting peace, social cohesion, and sustainable development in the region. It will, in particular, review the 2024–2025 annual activity report, assess prospects for volunteer deployment by 2026, and adopt the work programme and budget for the year 2026.

Participants will also have the opportunity to review regional monitoring and evaluation reports and validate key strategic documents relating to the future direction of the programme. Discussions will also focus on policies governing Volunteers’ pet projects and low-value grants, within a framework of continuous improvement in the effectiveness and transparency of interventions.

As a reminder, the ECOWAS Volunteers Programme is part of an ambitious vision of citizen mobilization for peace and development. It seeks to unite young people in the region—women and men—around shared values based on solidarity, unity, and civic engagement. Through its actions, the Programme contributes to strengthening the human and professional capacities of West African citizens, while supporting efforts toward regional integration, stability, and shared prosperity.

By promoting volunteer engagement, ECOWAS, in line with its Vision 2050, reaffirms its conviction that young people are a vital force for social transformation and an essential lever for building a harmonious and sustainable future in West Africa.