Youth Parliamentary Academy Final Report

From 29–30 April 2026, Inter Pares partnered with the National Assembly of Benin and the Youth Parliament of Benin (PJB) to deliver a Youth Parliamentary Academy (YPA) in Grand Popo, bringing together 72 young parliamentarians from across the country. The Academy equipped participants with practical advocacy, policy analysis, and parliamentary engagement skills, enabling them to transform youth priorities into clear, evidence-based policy proposals for decision-makers.

Working in groups, participants developed and presented 12 parliamentary pitches addressing issues such as youth entrepreneurship, civic education, access to information, rural youth migration, violent extremism, and strengthening youth institutions. Their proposals were presented directly to Members of Parliament and senior parliamentary officials, creating a unique opportunity for meaningful dialogue between young people and decision-makers.

The Academy demonstrated strong results, with more than 94% of participants reporting a better understanding of how to engage with parliament and 97% expressing confidence in applying the skills they acquired. MPs praised the quality of the proposals while encouraging participants to think broadly about the different ways parliaments can drive change through legislation, oversight, and accountability.

The YPA reinforced the value of direct, issue-based youth engagement and highlighted the Youth Parliament of Benin as an important platform for strengthening inclusive democracy. Participants called for continued opportunities for dialogue, stronger institutional mechanisms for youth participation, and greater follow-up on the proposals developed during the Academy.