September 2025

Status:* Ongoing (August 2024 – February 2025) Description The Ndale M’manja WhatsApp Chatbot is an innovative digital project by the Malawian National Youth in Politics, currently under development. It is designed to empower young Malawians with practical knowledge on how to enter politics, run effective campaigns, mobilize resources, and engage in democratic leadership. Delivered through WhatsApp — the most widely used messaging platform in Malawi — the chatbot will provide interactive, youth-friendly education that makes political participation more accessible. This project responds to the low participation of young people as political candidates. In the 2014 elections, only *2.8%* of candidates were under 35, while in 2019 the figure was just 4.2%. Our long-term goal is to increase youth representation to 15% by 2030. By equipping young people with the right tools and knowledge, the chatbot will reduce barriers and open new pathways for youth leadership in Malawi. Partners:This initiative is implemented under the *Digital Democracy program of CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, under Digital Action Lab. Impact (Expected):  A digital platform providing political education to thousands of young Malawians  Increased access to campaign strategies, fundraising techniques, and leadership resources Contribution toward raising youth participation in elections to 15% by 2030 Get Involved:Interested in supporting this digital innovation for democracy? Contact us at [info@malawiannationalyouth.org]