Local Youth Action on Food, Water, and Governance: Addressing the Nexus to Achieve the SDGs, Mirna Mahdy

Mirna Mahdy
MSA University
Egypt

Abstract: This research explores the multidimensional nexus between food insecurity, water stress, and corruption in six African countries - Nigeria, Ethiopia, Somalia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and the Democratic Republic of Congo - while highlighting the critical role of youth in driving localized solutions to these interrelated challenges. The study adopts a qualitative and comparative case study approach, supported by secondary data from international organizations such as the FAO, UNDP, World Bank, and Transparency International. The findings underscore how systemic corruption undermines access to clean water and food, exacerbating vulnerabilities, particularly among youth and marginalized communities. Framed within the Sustainable Development Goals, the research emphasizes the interdependence between SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). While corruption weakens institutions and misdirects resources, water scarcity hinders agricultural productivity, which in turn fuels food insecurity. However, despite these complex challenges, young people across Africa are emerging as powerful agents of change. The study highlights examples of youth-led local initiatives - from agricultural innovation and clean water technologies to grassroots anti-corruption campaigns - that directly contribute to SDG localization. This work aligns with the 2025 International Youth Day theme, “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond,” by positioning youth not merely as beneficiaries but as strategic development partners. The research calls for greater institutional support, funding, and inclusion of youth voices in policy-making processes. It argues that empowering youth at the local level is essential to bridging the gap between national development plans and real community transformation. By strengthening youth-led action, particularly in fragile and underserved regions, we can accelerate progress toward a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future across Africa.