Togo: Doin' it Right - Developing strengths, seizing opportunities

Background and project context

Togo has made progress in recent years, but the country continues to face significant social and economic challenges. Youth unemployment remains high, with many young people working under difficult conditions without adequate social protection. The justice system, particularly in handling juvenile cases, is overwhelmed, resulting in excessively long court processes.

In response to these challenges, the "Doin' it Right" project aims to support young people who have come into conflict with the law or are at risk of doing so. The project offers comprehensive psychosocial, legal, and social support to these youths, ensuring they are not left alone, either physically or mentally. A key aspect of the project is its work with the youths' families and social environments, helping prepare them for reintegration into the community during incarceration and increasing their chances of successful reintegration after release.

Within the prisons, the youths organize themselves into legal clubs, where they provide each other with legal assistance and receive support from volunteers and project staff. The project also implements targeted measures to strengthen the resilience of these youths, including vocational and educational reintegration programs. By closely collaborating with government authorities and involving families, the risk of recidivism after release is minimized. The "Doin' it Right" project thus creates new opportunities for a better future for young people in Togo.