The Forum was honoured to officially launch YoLoGo (Youth in Local Governance) in the Western Province — an initiative to strengthen youth and women’s meaningful participation in local governance through the creation of entry points for youth, inclusive structures in decision-making, and capacity building in multilevel governance.

The event brought together a remarkable group of leaders and changemakers, including the Hon. Governor of the Western Province, H.E. the Canadian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and Maldives and officials from the High Commission, Deputy Ministers of Local Government and Youth Affairs, Members of Parliament championing youth inclusion, Mayors and Chairpersons of 49 Local Authorities, civil society organizations, academics, youth leaders, and journalists.

This YoLoGo collaboration, engineered by the Western Provincial Council and Forum of Federations with the generous funding of the Government of Canada, will establish a youth volunteer group working with local government on issues that matter most to youth and the communities of the Western Province.

This inspiring event blended culture, data, and dialogue — featuring insights from our perception survey, which highlighted the lack of youth representation in governance, their interest in participation, gaps in understanding, and the urgent need for inclusion. The survey also showed that young people’s priorities are clear: employment and entrepreneurship, education and skills development, and mental health and wellbeing. These aren’t abstract concepts — they are the foundations of a strong, resilient youth population, connecting both economic empowerment and social wellbeing.

At the same time, the barriers are evident. Youth spoke of a lack of awareness, political bias or discrimination, absence of platforms for participation, and unwelcoming attitudes from officials. Yet these are not insurmountable. With awareness campaigns, inclusive outreach strategies, and training for local authority staff on youth-friendly engagement, this picture can change dramatically.

They also identified the challenges in their own communities: poor economic opportunities, weak infrastructure (roads, lighting, waste management), safety concerns, and the lack of recreational spaces and skill development opportunities. These are areas where local authorities can make visible, tangible improvements — and by involving youth directly, create ownership and pride in their communities.

Hon. Hanif Yusuf, Governor of the Western Province, delivered the keynote remarks officially launching YoLoGo. He noted that nearly half of Sri Lanka’s population is under 35, yet their voices remain absent in decision-making, describing youth as an untapped resource. He announced the creation of a Provincial Youth Governance Network with young elected councillors serving as youth focal points across all 49 local councils, and the establishment of Youth Advisory Committees in each local authority to work directly with governments to identify needs and co-create solutions.

He further emphasized that YoLoGo will empower young people through training in governance, advocacy, and civic engagement, while also holding institutions accountable through initiatives such as a Youth-Friendly Local Authority Ranking System and an annual Governor’s Youth Award Ceremony. Concluding his address, he stressed that “if democracy is to thrive, it must belong to all generations,” affirming youth as partners, not outsiders, in shaping governance.

H.E. Eric Walsh, High Commissioner of Canada to Sri Lanka and Maldives, also delivered remarks on behalf of the Government of Canada. He highlighted Canada’s strong commitment to inclusive governance and youth empowerment, and commended the Western Province for pioneering a model that could inspire replication across Sri Lanka. He emphasized that empowering young people to take part in governance is essential to building democratic resilience and stronger communities.

The event was attended by more than 215 guests with diverse and inclusive representation. This is an important step toward making governance more inclusive of youth and women — engaging, accountable, and responsive from the ground up. YoLoGo isn’t just a youth empowerment project — it’s an opportunity for a generational shift in multi-level governance. This initiative is proudly supported by the Government of Canada.