The British Council's social action project (SAP): nurturing youth leadership through community engagement

M. Rezaul Islam; Ndungi Wa Mungai

doi:10.35782/JCPP.2024.2.01

M. Rezaul Islam Center for Family and Child Studies, Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Professor, Institute of Social Welfare and Research, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Ndungi Wa Mungai Senior Lecturer in Social Work, School of Social Work and Arts, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, Australia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.35782/JCPP.2024.2.01

Keywords: youth leadership, youth training, youth empowerment, community engagement, Social Action Project, British Council

Abstract

This article discusses the nature and characteristics of the Social Action Project (SAP) and its effectiveness in promoting youth leadership through community engagement. SAP is a youth leadership program administered by the British Council. The program aims to empower young individuals to address social issues significant to them and to cultivate the necessary skills and confidence to create a positive impact within their communities. The research employed a Qualitative Interpretative Meta-Synthesis (QIMS) framework. Results showed that SAP provided various opportunities for the youths, equipping them with the essential knowledge, skills, and support required to assume leadership roles in their communities. These findings offer important guidelines for youth organizers, practitioners, and policymakers to make this program more youth-friendly and successful in developing youth leadership.