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Madagascar: young people mobilized to improve living conditions in Antananarivo
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As part of the Lalankely III project, Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the European Union are supporting the Urban Municipality of Antananarivo (CUA) in Madagascar to sustainably improve living conditions in the capital’s neighborhoods, while also encouraging the engagement of young people in urban development.
Under Lalankely III, an initiative was launched to promote the involvement of young people in improving sanitation and the urban environment in six districts of Antananarivo, Madagascar. Activities have focused primarily on clearing drainage canals, collecting waste, and transporting it to the Andralanitra landfill. These efforts contribute to better public health and enhance the living environment for residents. They will also help improve water drainage during the rainy season.
The work is carried out by young people from the neighborhoods concerned, under the supervision of the Urban Municipality’s technical teams. The initiative fosters both economic inclusion and civic engagement.
First phase of work across several neighborhoods
A first round of work took place from 17 to 23 December across 20 sites, covering 31 fokontany (administrative subdivisions) within the Urban Municipality of Antananarivo. More than 1,500 young people were mobilized. A second phase is scheduled to begin in mid-January to continue the work and expand the areas of intervention.
Local stakeholders engaged in the project
To mark the launch of the first activities, the Mayor of Antananarivo, Harilala Ramanantsoa, AFD’s Country Director in Madagascar, Nicolas Le Guen, and several local officials visited the Besarety neighborhood. The field visit provided an opportunity to meet with the teams on the ground and emphasize the importance of coordination among the various actors involved.
A project driving sustainable urban development
Through Lalankely III, AFD supports an integrated approach to urban development that combines improved sanitation, the involvement of young people, and capacity-building for the local government. The project is helping to make neighborhoods in Greater Antananarivo healthier, more accessible, and more resilient, while placing residents (especially young people) at the center of the city’s transformation.