Youth as Promoters of Development in VRAEM Youth are in a central role in developing their communities and societies as well as in poverty reduction. Youth need to have a chance for participation in their communities? and area?s development through different channels and means. In Peru youth face m
ultiple challenges for their social and economic participation. Main challenges relate to lack of participation structures lack of quality education and decent work possibilities and ethnic and gender discrimination. Considering this the overall objective 
of the Project is to promote youth empowerment and young people?s active participation in development. The specific objective is to empower 650 youth in 50 youth groups in VRAEM (Valley of the Apurimac Ene and Mantaro Rivers) area in Peru in order to enhan
ce youth?s possibilities for participation and economic involvement and strengthen teachers? parents? and community leaders? capacities as well as public networks to support youth. The aim is to enhance the possibilities for joined actions and also the app
reciation of youth in the region and in the local policies. Special attention is given to the promotion of indigenous youth?s rights. In addition 250 teachers and 650 parents and community leaders are reached to support youth development. Public sector sup
port is essential for youth participation so that the challenges the area and the youth face may be tackled.FCYF?s local partner organization in Peru is CEDRO Centro de Informacion y Educacion para la Prevencion del Abuso de Drogas. The crosscutting themes
 of Finland?s Development Policy are included in the Project through mainstreaming gender equality and environmental sustainability and through decreasing inequality by focusing on most vulnerable youth.