When the Learning Passport was first introduced in Zambia, it held incredible promise to unlock access to quality education through digital tools. But promise alone wasn’t enough — there was a missing link: community connection. That’s where the Youth Advocacy Programme came in.
In 2024, UNICEF Zambia partnered with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, and Airtel Zambia to train 100 young people across all provinces as digital learning youth advocates. Their mission? To introduce the Learning Passport to students, caregivers, and schools— their own communities and former schools — and make digital education more accessible and relatable.
Over time, I saw how much they had grown — from young people into real advocates who can inspire others
Where It All Began: Learning to Lead
Before entering classrooms, the youth advocates came together in Lusaka for a 3-day training programme. It wasn’t just about how to use the Learning Passport — it was about building leadership, public speaking, facilitation, and digital skills. The room was full of nervous energy, but that quickly transformed into focus and determination.
As a Learning Passport youth advocate, I’ve gained so many skills, including graphic design using Canva. I’ve used this skill to conduct my presentations effortlessly and to help my friends create posters and articles.
Youth Advocate stories were powerful because they came from lived experience, offering authenticity and depth that others could easily relate to in meaningful ways.
Back to School: From Learners to Leaders
Soon after training, youth advocates hit the ground. In March 2025, they visited schools across all 10 provinces. In Kabwe, they led sessions at Broadway Secondary and Kabwe Secondary, demonstrating how to register, navigate the platform, and access storybooks, videos, and practice quizzes.
One of my proudest moments was showing teachers how to use Learning Passport Zambia and seeing how students responded and used the subjects available. Achieving that milestone brought me happiness.
They weren’t just presenting a platform — they were creating a movement. Students responded with enthusiasm, especially when content was delivered by someone their own age.
Introducing Learning Passport Zambia to my community was an amazing and fulfilling experience. It felt incredible to introduce something that brings real change to the community and to learners, no matter where they are, giving them a chance to access enhanced learning.
Breaking Barriers: Opening Digital Doors for Every Learner
As youth advocates engaged with communities, one major barrier to adoption quickly became clear: email access. Most learners and caregivers didn’t have email addresses — a requirement for signing up to the Learning Passport.
To address this, UNICEF Zambia’s team developed a simplified login system. Learners could access the platform using small, printed cards, eliminating the need for email accounts. Each card was linked to a specific youth advocate, allowing the team to track outreach efforts and recognize individual contributions. These cards were distributed during school visits, providing learners with instant access and enabling better monitoring of the programme’s impact.
We knew access was a barrier. By removing the email step, we made the platform more accessible and helped the youth advocates reach more people, faster.
This approach made it much easier for people to get started and helped advocates reach more users in less time. It also enabled the team to track each advocate’s efforts by recording how many users they successfully invited to the platform. These logins unlocked opportunity. In classrooms across Zambia, learners finally explored stories, subjects, and study materials on the platform.
Every Action Matters: Celebrating Every Win, Big or Small
To sustain momentum, the programme included a monthly reward system. Youth advocates who met their onboarding targets received mobile data bundles and were celebrated for their impact. For many, the rewards weren’t just practical — they were deeply personal.
It is a direct motivation to me and it enables me to perform my task as an advocate effectively, knowing that my effort and time will pay off. It also encourages me to work towards achieving my objectives and boosts my productivity.”
Beyond the data, it’s the recognition that truly fuels my motivation. When my efforts are acknowledged, it gives me a sense of purpose. It makes me feel that my voice matters and that I’m part of something bigger.
Proof in the Progress: A Year of Measurable Impact
The impact of this youth-led campaign has been extraordinary:
- 📱 Learning Passport Zambia users grew from 6,384 to over 26,000 in 12 months — a fourfold increase.
- 👥 Over 20,000 people were directly reached by the 100 youth advocates.
- 🧑🏽💻 Thousands more were reached indirectly through peer influence, school engagement, and digital visibility.
When young people speak to their peers, there’s trust and understanding. That’s why this initiative works.
The Learning Passport story is a reminder that real impact lives in the voices of those who lived it.
This journey wasn’t just about a platform — it was about purpose. And the results prove that when you equip young people with the right tools, they don’t just connect — they lead.
A Final Reflection: The End is Just the Beginning
In October 2025, the programme came full circle with a high-energy review meeting in Kabwe. Youth advocates reflected on their growth, shared feedback, and celebrated milestones together.
They started as learners. They left empowered.
I learned how to communicate effectively and clearly. I also learned leadership skills since I was chosen to represent my team members.
My experience as an advocate has put an impact on my life such that I would like to continue advocating for education.
As the Youth Advocacy Programme with Learning Passport Zambia comes to a close, what resonates most is the shift in how youth were engaged, not as passive participants, but as drivers of change, equipped with skills, confidence, and a platform to shape the future of learning in their communities.
What stood out most to me about the Learning Passport Youth Advocacy Programme was how intentionally it centred young people’s voices, not just as participants, but as leaders and change-makers.
Zikomo! Thanks to Every Voice and Vision Shared
This youth advocacy programme under Learning Passport Zambia was made possible thanks to the dedication and cross-sector collaboration of our partners. UNICEF Zambia is deeply grateful to the Ministry of Education — especially district officials and school leaders who welcomed youth advocates into classrooms — the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, Airtel Zambia for enabling digital connectivity, and UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office for their support. Together, this partnership brought the promise of digital learning closer to thousands of learners in Zambia.
