Youth account for one-third of the Ethiopian population and, as an active labour force, have the potential to contribute to the national development. There is mounting evidence that they face major structural, institutional, political and socioeconomic challenges. As a result, their participation in economic development has increasingly become limited. Due to significant changes in the political landscape of the country, the Ethiopian Youth Policy was introduced in 2004 and has its own shortcomings in enabling the prevailing institutions to respond to these challenges (FDRE, 2004). At present, there are widespread tensions, conflicts and security threats in some parts of the country affecting the youth. To build a better future for Ethiopia and ensure its prosperity, the government intends to reverse the situation by engaging the
youth constructively in peacebuilding processes.