i. Increase access and full utilization of available education and skills training facilities for the benefit of the community and other youth development activities; j. Strengthen family and community based support programmes for all; k. Identify and establish adequate and valid linkages between education and skills development, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, culture, sport and recreation activities; l. Encourage participatory partnership between the educators, students and the community; m. Take appropriate measures to support disadvantaged youth at all levels of education and skills development through social protection, loans, grants, cadetship, scholarships and other appropriate measures; n. Disseminate widely information on available financial support schemes in education and skills development. 5.2 Youth Empowerment and Participation Youth empowerment is the creation of an enabling environment for the youth to have the freedom to choose, to participate in and take decisions in matters affecting them and be ready to accept the consequences of their decisions. Empowerment enables the youth to be active participants in both the process and product of development. It has a democratizing impact. The National Youth Policy affirms the right of youth to involve and meaningfully and peacefully participate in national political, economic and social processes. 5.2.1 Strategies for Youth Empowerment and Participation a. Ensure meaningful youth participation during the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of youth programmes and projects; b. Facilitate establishment and funding of youth groups and youth NonGovernmental Organisations (NGOs), led and headed by the youth themselves and ensure their participation in decision-making processes at all levels; c. Promote the creation of a National Youth Forum for all youth and youth organizations; 16