On September 26 and 27, 2025, a significant gathering took place in Zimbabwe, bringing together 500 young people from all ten provinces, as well as parliamentarians, civil society representatives, and development partners. The Youth-Inclusive 2026 Budget Conference was hosted by the Zimbabwe Parliamentary Youth Caucus in partnership with the Zimbabwe Institute and the Zimbabwe Youth Council. COMPASS, through the Youth Health Movement, is proud to have participated in the YIBC. The conference moved beyond traditional fiscal discussions to center on the perspectives, experiences, and future aspirations of Zimbabwean youth.
Hon. Stanley R.T. Sakupwanya, Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Youth Parliamentary Caucus, emphasized that the national budget should serve as a tool to address inequalities, improve access to social services, and expand opportunities for all citizens. A youth representative from the Youth Health Movement further highlighted the importance of genuine inclusion, stating, “This process is about ensuring that young people can proudly say my voice was heard, my ideas mattered, and I am part of building a better country aligned with the vision 2030 agenda.” This consultation underscored the principle that young people are not merely a demographic to be considered, but rather a vital voice that must shape the nation’s future.
A key focus of the conference was Domestic Resource Mobilisation for HIV financing, an area where the youth of Zimbabwe articulated clear priorities. These included: covering HIV prevention gaps through the procurement of essential resources like PEP, PrEP, and condoms; improving health worker welfare through increased salaries and support; aligning with the Abuja Declaration by allocating 15% of the national budget to health; ring-fencing health funds to ensure earmarked taxes are directly channeled to the responsible ministry; strengthening the AIDS Levy from 3% to 3.5% to sustain HIV programming amidst funding constraints; increasing domestic financing for health to reduce reliance on donor funding; and guaranteeing the timely disbursement of allocated funds to relevant ministries for effective implementation.
The consultation concluded with a strong emphasis on accountability as a constitutional duty, ensuring that every dollar serves the people and every voice shapes the future. COMPASS will continue to advocate for increased Domestic Resource Mobilization for HIV financing during the national budget consultations from October 6th-10th and will closely monitor the 2026 National Budget to ensure that commitments are translated into tangible allocations.
Furthermore, COMPASS is actively supporting the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Finance and Economic Planning and the Committee on Health and Child Care in monitoring quarterly financial reports. This role allows COMPASS to hold the government accountable by tracking resource allocation and expenditure, ensuring they align with the needs and priorities of young people.
