Project Amplify

Project Period: May 2025 – Aug 2025

Introduction

Between May and July 2025, The Noble Hands Zimbabwe Trust (TNHZT) successfully implemented Project Amplify, a youth-led disability inclusion initiative aimed at strengthening the participation of young people with disabilities (YPWDs) in local governance and decision-making processes in Bulawayo. The project was funded by Women Coalition of Zimbabwe and Hivos Southern Africa (USD 10 000.00) in proud partnership with the European Union in Zimbabwe, Gender links and other partners.

Implemented in collaboration with Bulawayo City Council (BCC) and a diverse coalition of disability and youth organizations, the project responded to long-standing barriers faced by persons with disabilities, including exclusion from civic processes, limited awareness of rights, inaccessible public spaces, and weak implementation of the BCC Disability Policy.

When young people with disabilities in Bulawayo spoke about exclusion, they spoke quietly. Not because they lacked ideas or leadership, but because they had rarely been invited into spaces where decisions about their lives were made. With support from WCoZ and HIVOS, The Noble Hands Zimbabwe Trust set out to change that reality through Project Amplify.

The Challenge

In Bulawayo, many young people with disabilities face daily barriers to participation in local governance. Public spaces are often inaccessible, disability policies are poorly understood, and stigma continues to silence voices that deserve to be heard. Before Project Amplify, more than 70% of young people with disabilities were unaware of the Bulawayo City Council Disability Policy, and over 80% had never participated in policy or decision-making processes that affect them.

Without intervention, exclusion would continue unchecked.

The Intervention

Between May and August 2025, Project Amplify successfully delivered a youth-led, rights-based intervention focused on inclusion, leadership, and accountability. With the funding, the project:

Convened multi-stakeholder dialogues bringing together young people with disabilities, councillors, and city officials
Trained young disability advocates in governance, human rights, and civic engagement
Conducted a baseline survey to generate evidence on gaps in policy awareness and implementation
Promoted digital inclusion and advocacy, ensuring voices reached beyond physical meeting spaces

Over 200 participants were directly reached, including youth with disabilities, local government officials, and community leaders.

The Impact

Through the project:

Young people with disabilities gained confidence and leadership skills, enabling them to engage councillors, speak in public forums, and advocate for accessible services

Local authorities listened. Councillors acknowledged gaps in inclusion and committed to strengthening representation of young people with disabilities in ward structures
Evidence replaced assumptions. Project data now informs advocacy for disability-responsive budgeting and implementation of the BCC Disability Policy

One participant shared:

“For the first time, we were not spoken about, we were listened to, l believe nothing can be for or about us as young people with disabilities without us”

Why It Matters

Project Amplify proved that inclusive governance is not charity, but it is justice. When young people with disabilities are empowered, cities become more responsive, accountable, and inclusive for everyone.

The funding helped transform exclusion into engagement, silence into leadership, and policy into action.

Looking Ahead

The Noble Hands Zimbabwe Trust is building on this momentum to scale inclusive governance efforts across other cities, strengthen disability data systems, and continue amplifying youth voices. Thank you to WCoZ, Hivos, European Union Delegation in Zimbabwe and partners for believing in the power of inclusion and for helping young people with disabilities claim their rightful place at the decision-making table.