Editing ECOWAS (section)

=== Youth ===
The ECOWAS Youth Policy Strategic Plan of Action (SPAO) is a 10-year plan that aims to promote youth development and empowerment in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The SPAO was adopted in 2016 and is based on the pillars of education and training, employment and entrepreneurship, health and well-being, peace and security, and governance and participation.<ref name=":1">{{Citation |last=State |first=Economic Community of West African |title=Ecowas youth policy and strategic plan of action |date=2010 |url=http://librarydb.unilag.edu.ng/newgenlibctxt/View?CatId=28083&OwnLibId=1&LibraryId=1&From=Library |access-date=2023-08-05 |publisher=Ecowas Commission 2010 |archive-date=5 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805154140/http://librarydb.unilag.edu.ng/newgenlibctxt/View?CatId=28083&OwnLibId=1&LibraryId=1&From=Library |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=GNA |date=2023-04-27 |title=ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre keen on globalising Traditional African Sports |url=https://gna.org.gh/2023/04/ecowas-youth-and-sports-development-centre-keen-on-globalising-traditional-african-sports/ |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=Ghana News Agency |language=en-US |archive-date=5 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805161440/https://gna.org.gh/2023/04/ecowas-youth-and-sports-development-centre-keen-on-globalising-traditional-african-sports/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

The SPAO identifies a number of challenges facing youth in ECOWAS, including high unemployment rates, lack of access to education and training, and poor health outcomes. The plan sets out a number of strategies to address these challenges, including investing in education and training, creating jobs and supporting entrepreneurship, improving access to health care, promoting peace and security, and strengthening youth participation in governance.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />