Building Active Citizenship in Namibia

“Your voice matters. Namibia Needs Me gives you the tools to make it heard.”

Namibia Needs Me (NNM) is a 33-month civic education project (Aug 2023–May 2026) led by the Namibia Institute for Democracy (NID) and the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF), with financial support from the European Union.

Our mission is to build a stronger democratic culture in Namibia by empowering citizens—especially young people—with the knowledge and skills to participate actively in democracy, promote good governance, and defend human rights.

Through workshops, mentorship, and an interactive online platform, NNM trains secondary school learners, university students, teachers, and civil society representatives. We focus on practical skills: advocacy, leadership, and interactive teaching methods that make civic education engaging and accessible.

The project supports Namibia’s national development goals, including Vision 2030 and the Harambee Prosperity Plan II, and builds on Article 17 of the Constitution, which guarantees every citizen the right to political participation. With national elections in 2024 and Local and regional Council elections in 2025, NNM is providing tools, resources, and spaces for citizens to engage, learn, and act.

By investing in education, dialogue, and youth leadership, Namibia Needs Me is creating a generation of active citizens who will shape the country’s democratic future.

Some of the inspiring activities we’ve hosted:

University Students: Advocacy Training x4

We equipped 84 students from various universities and campuses with practical advocacy tools that inspired them to become more active citizens and strengthen their leadership skills.
 

School Learners: Civic Education Sessions x126

We visited 21 project schools in 7 regions across Namibia, where 930 high school learners were introduced to a variety of civic education topics.
 

School Learners: Bootcamps x6

Over the course of a full weekend, 122 high school learners attended a retreat where they were educated on how to advocate for issues that matter to them.
 

University Students: Dialogues x16

Through engaging sessions, 1,597 university students from various universities and campuses across Namibia (Eenhana, Henties Bay, Keetmanshoop, Katima Mulilo, Nkurenkuru, Ongwediva, Rundu, Windhoek) learned about their civic rights and responsibilities as well as the importance of being active citizens.
   

Educators: Workshops x4

Teachers and education officers from all 14 regions across of the country came to Windhoek for a week-long workshop to receive comprehensive training in civic education, advocacy, and interactive teaching methods, aimed at helping them effectively integrate civic education into their lesson plans.
  
 

CSOs: Workshops x4

We invited 53 CSO representatives from 27 CSOs from all over Namibia to participate in a 3-day civic education workshop and a 4-day advocacy workshop in Windhoek aimed at capacitating them with knowlegde and skills to enhance their work. 
 

CSOs: On-Site Mentorship x10

Following the workshops, 10 selected CSOs (from Katima Mulilo, Keetmanshoop, Khorixas, Outapi, Rehoboth, Rundu, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Windhoek)  received a 3-day on-site mentorship to support the practical application of the skills learned and strengthen their advocacy campaigns. 
 

Eligible Voters: Community Dialogues x14

We hosted structured community discussions in various towns (Gobabis, Henties Bay, Katima Mulilo, Keetmanshoop, Lüderitz, Mariental, Otjiwarongo, Swakopmund, Tsumeb, Walvis Bay) providing residents with information on government structures, elections, and civic responsibilities.
 
 

Multimedia Communication Campaign

The campaign, through its 8 channels, aimed at encouraging eligible voters and the general public to embrace their civic rights and honour their responsibilities, and to actively participate in democratic processes.  

To find out more about the NNM Project:

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Contact Us

Namibia Needs Me Project Contacts: NID & HSF

  • 70 -72 Frans Indongo Street Windhoek West / Windhoek
  • P. O. Box 90912Klein Windhoek / Windhoek
  • info@namibianeedsme.org
  • WhatsApp +264 (0)81 482 2369

Find us on:

Our location in Windhoek is at:

House of Democracy

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    Explore our valued partners and the meaningful work we do together.

    Find out more about
    the Namibia Institute of Democracy

    Find out more about
    the Hanns Seidel Foundation

    Find out more about
    the European Union

    The Namibia Needs Me Project website is a non-profit, online education database designed to serve as a one-stop resource.

    We aim to offer you easy access to carefully curated civic education materials in and on Namibia, with some reference to similar initiatives in the region.

    Get in touch

    NNM Project

    House of Democracy