More than half the population of the major cities in Cameroon is younger than 25. Most city dwellers live in crowded neighbourhoods with little access to clean water and sanitation. Caused by the increase of urbanization, the existing facilities become overloaded. Moreover, many informal neighbourhoods are created where issues as water, sanitation, waste facilities or land rights are hardly settled. The continuing economic crisis provokes that most people in the capital Yaoundé must keep their head above water with activities in the informal sector. There is little formal employment, inflation and high taxes make life also more expensive. The high unemployment affects young people in Cameroon more than others.
In February 2008 there was a riots outbreak caused by another rise in oil prices, and many young people went out to the streets to express their frustration and dissatisfaction with current policies. The government of Cameroon worked out some plans to improve opportunities for urban youth, but in practice, concrete improvements failed. At district level civil society organizations tried to offer more opportunities through skill- and “life skill”- training. In this way these organizations tried to involve them in a constructive way to the development of Cameroon.“Réseau de Promotion du Développement Integral de la Jeunesse” (Reprodij) had contact with Cordaid through a mapping, made by consultant Apollinaire Etono ngah. The organization was previously funded by Cordaid with a 'small project'. During this period Reprodij has presented itself as a growing and learning organization, one that can handle more serious funding.Reprodij is active since 1999 and registered as an association since 2006. Reprodij focuses on youth employment and training, water and sanitation, and knowledge about health issues and HIV/AIDS. In addition, the organization is encouraging young people to organize themselves, and to increase their capacity. In all these activities, much attention is given to gender. The organization has so far worked much with the Catholic Church in Yaoundé. In a previous funding Reprodij has trained youth organizations in the areas Melen, Emana and Etetak. This organizations have been strengthened in the areas of project management, leadership, life skills (for instance how to deal with HIV/AIDS) and have been formalized. All six organizations have carried out activities in their own neighbourhoods in order to improve the situation of water- and sanitation. With the current project Reprodij will reach another district in Yaoundé (Ngoa Ekelle) and build on the previous installed organizations.