In 2024, MRC restarted its Youth as Agents for Behavioural Change (YABC) Programme in partnership with Transparency Maldives, drawing on a flagship peer-education approach of the IFRC. Built on the belief that young people are a powerful force for change, the project set out to promote a culture of non-violence and peace, empowering youth to take up ethical leadership and to inspire positive change in mindsets, attitudes, and behaviour, in themselves and in their communities.
The overarching goal of this project was to empower youth to take up an ethical leadership role in inspiring positive transformation of mindsets, attitudes and behaviors within themselves and their community. The Programme is built on three pillars - youth empowerment, operating from inner peace and reaching out to the community. Thematic areas addressed include non-discrimination and respect for diversity, inter-cultural dialogue, social inclusion, promotion of gender equality and prevention of gender-based violence, violence prevention, mitigation and response, the Fundamental Principles and underpinning humanitarian values of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, as well as international humanitarian law. Interpersonal skills such as empathy, active listening, critical thinking, non-judgment and dropping bias, nonviolent communication, negotiation and mediation, and personal resilience were promoted throughout the Programme
The project was implemented in 04 regions of the Maldives. YABC uses non-formal peer education techniques such as games, role plays, simulation and visualization exercises, storytelling, and arts. Through these activities, participants are encouraged to step out of their comfort zone and work together to learn and explore solutions to problems in a safe and supportive learning environment
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Youth Engaged through the project
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Project Locations (Kulhudhuffushi City, Male' City, Fuvamulah City and Addu City)
15 YABC peer educators trained
With the support of the IFRC, Pakistan Red Crescent, MRC trained 15 YABC Peer educators consisting of volunteers and staff as peer-educators who supported the YABC sessions carried out in project locations.
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YABC Sessions conducted across Kulhudhuffushi City, Greater Male’ Area, Fuvamulah City and Addu City.
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Students engaged through YABC School Sessions
Championing the YABC thematic areas, such as nondiscrimination and respect for diversity, inter-cultural dialogue, social inclusion, gender equality, violence prevention and response using immersive, interactive and hands on sessions, the project interventions engage young people to take meaningful action in their communities
At the heart of YABC is peer education. Rather than teaching from the front, young people learn through games, role plays, storytelling, and the arts, exploring non-violence, diversity, inclusion, and gender equality in ways that are interactive, immersive, and personal. The approach builds not just knowledge but the empathy, communication, and ethical leadership that change behaviour.
Through the YABC Peer Educators Training, MRC equipped young people with the skills to lead sessions themselves, creating a network of trained facilitators able to carry the approach into their own communities and sustain it beyond the project.
YABC sessions reached young people across four regions, from Kulhudhuffushi City to the Greater Male' Area, Fuvahmulah, and Addu City, engaging them on non-violence, respect for diversity, and social inclusion, and inviting them to act on the issues that matter in their communities.
The programme's flagship event was a five-day National YABC Camp in Addu City, bringing 21 young changemakers from across the country together for hands-on sessions on non-violence, inclusion, gender equality, and more, delivered with a wide range of national and local partners.
Using the learning methodology in my life, I'm going to start setting smart goals for personal growth, practicing reflection to stay aware of my progress and building supportive networks for encouragement and shared experiences.
Layaaly
YABC Camp Participant
Being part of the YABC journey has been a transformative experience for me. Following the completion of the regional YABC Training of Trainers Training in 2021, this YABC project provided me the opportunity to not only practice what I learnt during the training but also see the impact of implementing successful YABC initiative.
Abdulla Alyaan
YABC Trainer
One major event of the project was the five-day YABC camp held in Addu City, bringing together 21 young changemakers from across the country. The camp provided an interactive platform for participants to engage in hands-on activities and practical sessions
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YABC is built on a simple belief: that lasting change begins with young people, and that values like empathy, respect, and non-violence are not taught from the front but lived and shared. By equipping a new generation of peer educators and changemakers, MRC is helping build communities that are more inclusive, more peaceful, and more resilient, one young leader at a time.