The official results presentation ceremony for the "Tanora Fanilo" project took place on July 8, 2026 in the urban municipality of Arivonimamo. Over one month, this pilot initiative enabled 33 young women to acquire the necessary tools to become genuine agents of change within their local communities. In the Itasy region, a wind of hope is blowing through the youth population. July 8, 2026 now marks a significant date for the urban municipality of Arivonimamo, which hosted the official presentation of the "Tanora Fanilo" project. After a full month of intensive activities and unwavering civic engagement, key project stakeholders gathered to celebrate an exemplary success. Local authorities, technical partners, civil society members, and direct beneficiaries came together to conduct a rigorous assessment of achievements and outline essential future perspectives to consolidate gains. This major project, placing youth at the center of development priorities, is the result of a partnership with associations ABITSE and Ako Rising Madagascar (ARM), an organization focused on popular education and international solidarity. The ultimate objective of this successful territorial synergy is to accompany, step by step, the emergence of a new generation of young citizens who are more autonomous, responsible, and fully invested in local public life.

An initiative born from committed youth

At the origin of this human adventure stands an inspiring figure: Nomenjanahary Maryah Rasoatsaraniaina. Already actively engaged within the ABITSE association, this dynamic young leader wished to take a decisive step in her civic journey. By joining the NEXT LEAD program, dedicated to strengthening the capacities of engaged youth, she was able to consolidate her theoretical and practical knowledge on crucial themes such as leadership, participatory democracy, and peace consolidation. NEXT LEAD does not stop at theory: it offers personalized and rigorous mentoring to transform young people's innovative ideas into concrete and measurable actions on the ground. It was precisely within this formative framework that Maryah Rasoatsaraniaina designed and implemented the "Tanora Fanilo" project. This initiative directly addresses pressing needs identified within her own home community, perfectly illustrating the deep vocation of the NEXT LEAD program: enabling already mobilized youth to multiply the impact of their engagement on the ground.

Functional literacy as a vector for democracy

The heart of the project tackles head-on a major obstacle to human and economic development: illiteracy. For the designers of "Tanora Fanilo," literacy is not limited to the mechanical learning of reading and writing. It constitutes the fundamental foundation upon which civic awareness and active participation in local public affairs management are built. Through an integrated pedagogical approach, the project successfully combined the acquisition of fundamental skills with genuine civic education focused on leadership, democracy, citizens' rights and duties, and a culture of peace. Over one full month, 33 young women from four fokontany of the urban municipality of Arivonimamo followed this path of empowerment. Through regular sessions, participants benefited from stimulating reflection workshops, creating spaces for benevolent exchanges to foster their self-esteem, personal autonomy, and capacity to fully engage in local social and political life.

Concrete achievements for an inclusive and modern municipality

The concrete achievements of "Tanora Fanilo" testify to its immediate and lasting social utility. Beyond traditional literacy classes, the project fostered unprecedented direct dialogue between local populations and municipal decision-makers. A major advocacy session on literacy and the inclusion of illiterate youth in decision-making processes was organized, bringing together municipal authorities, development partners, and community representatives. But the most visible impact for Arivonimamo residents lies in the design and installation of orientation pictograms in the municipal administrative offices. These inclusive visual supports greatly facilitate navigation for users who encounter reading or writing difficulties. Through this simple and effective innovation, municipal administration draws closer to its users, guaranteeing dignified and equitable treatment for every citizen, regardless of their literacy level.