LocationsAuteur (e): Audrey MONEYANG, Head of Exploration, Accelerator Lab.
How sport and camaraderie are building Social Cohesion in Cameroon:The Success Story of the “Na We We” Sports Jamboree
April 16, 2026
Youth‑led sport initiatives fostering inclusion, dialogue, and peace among displaced, refugee and host communities.
When she first heard the name “Na We We”, meaning “It’s us”, a young participant confessed she had joined out of curiosity. But what she found was much more than a sports event; it was a community, a family, and a new sense of belonging.
UNDP CMR _social cohesion_ “Na We We” Sports Jamboree
@UNDPCameroon
The story behind the concept "Na We We"
Every summer, the youth‑led organization Local Youth Corner Cameroon hosts the “Na We We” Sports Jamboree, a social cohesion programme designed to unite internally displaced persons, refugees, and host communities through sports and recreational activities. In the local language, “Na We We” means It’s us, a powerful reminder of collective belonging and solidarity.
Drawing inspiration from global Sport for Development and Peace, the jamboree creates safe, inclusive environments where young people can learn, interact, and rebuild trust. Above games and competitions, it offers opportunities for dialogue, civic education, skills development, and access to essential social services.
A unique Approach : Blending Competition and compassion
The jamboree stands out for its innovative methodology, combining fierce athletic competitions with workshops and community interactions. Each year, the event travels to a new region (Douala in 2022, Yaoundé in 2023, Bafoussam in 2024, Bertoua in 2025), gathering over 1800 women and men athletes for football, handball, basketball, and dance tournaments. Stories and highlights from each edition spread across social media, engaging over 3.5 million people and amplifying the message of unity.
Celebrating Achievements: Numbers That Tell a Story
Across its editions, “Na We We” has delivered remarkable results:
- Nearly 6,663 community members reached through awareness campaigns on gender-based violence, reproductive health, peace, and conflict management.
- 30,000 people impacted via mobile caravans, television, radio, and social media.
- More than 570 eye examinations and medical screenings were conducted, with referrals for further care.
- 87% of participants noticed improved social cohesion in their local communities.
- 136 young people registered to vote during the third edition in Bafoussam.
- Growing number of athletes: 350 in the first and second editions, increasing to 500 for the third.
- 150 partners to showcase, sensitize and provide donations to over 520 IDPs.
UNDP CMR _social cohesion_ “Na We We” Sports Jamboree
@UNDPCameroon
UNDP CMR _social cohesion_ “Na We We” Sports Jamboree
@UNDPCameroon
How UNDP Cameroon contributed to the success
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has played a pivotal role in strengthening the jamboree. Through financial support, logistics, gender inclusion efforts, and technical guidance. Including impact evaluation methodologies, the organization has enhanced the programme’s reach and quality.
Support to key components such as the “Living Together” camp, peer‑to‑peer dialogue sessions, and communal meals has created shared spaces that break down prejudices and nurture mutual understanding.
Alongside other partners, the jamboree now offers medical screenings, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention campaigns, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) awareness activities, and distributions of food and school supplies, transforming it into a holistic peacebuilding platform.
UNDP CMR _social cohesion_ “Na We We” Sports Jamboree
@UNDPCameroon
UNDP CMR _social cohesion_ “Na We We” Sports Jamboree
@UNDPCameroon
Inspiring Stories: Voices of Change
The transformational impact of the jamboree is best understood through the voices of its participants. Anna, a 19‑year‑old displaced from Bamenda to Bafoussam, overcame isolation and found belonging through the camp and opening ceremonies. Moussa, a young Chadian refugee, learned to speak up and collaborate: “Before this project, I didn’t dare speak to others. Here, I learned to collaborate, speak out, and advocate for peace.” Mariam, a volunteer, discovered new cultures and gained the confidence to launch her own community projects.
These stories reveal how sport, when carefully structured, opens pathways to healing, leadership, and social cohesion.
Confronting Challenges and Mitigation Strategies
Like any ambitious and innovative programme, the jamboree has faced challenges:
Funding shortfalls during its launch were addressed through partner mobilization.
Logistical difficulties linked to rural road conditions and weather require flexibility and teamwork.
Volunteer management issues can be improved through clearer roles and better communication.
Growing stakeholder engagement, which, while positive, required coordination and planning.
Each challenge strengthened the programme’s resilience and community ownership.
Looking Forward
The “Na We We” Sports Jamboree demonstrates that youth‑driven peacebuilding is most effective when grounded in culturally meaningful activities such as sport. This approach strengthens collaboration, gender inclusion, resilience, conflict transformation, and civic responsibility.
Its success presents a compelling case for policymakers to integrate sport into national youth development frameworks as a strategic lever for peace, civic education, and social cohesion.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Mansuru Usmanu, Project Officer at LOYOC, and Christian Achaleke, Executive Director of LOYOC, for their valuable partnership, insights, and contributions to this blog. Their engagement and inputs were instrumental in enriching the reflection and grounding it in field‑based realities.
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