Restless Development
Restless Development, the youth-led development agency, previously Students Partnership Worldwide (SPW), was founded in 1985 by Jim Cogan OBE. Its mission is to place young people at the forefront of change and development.
They have offices in America, India, London, Nepal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The agency works based on the fact that half of the world's population aged under 25. This population group are often most affected by the persistent problems facing the world, but are often not part of development solutions. Restless Development works to ensure to bring young people to the decision-making table across three goal areas:
1. Civic participation 2. Livelihoods and Employment 3. Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
The agency:
- trains, educates, supports and inspires young people to lead development in their countries and communities.
- helps young people make responsible choices about their health and their livelihoods.
- gives them the skills they need to contribute positively to society.
- creates the opportunity for young people to play active roles in policy and decision making.
Around 85% of Restless Development's volunteers are national volunteers. Restless Development's main overseas volunteering programmes are in Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, India and Nepal. Restless Development also sends volunteers from the UK abroad to work alongside national volunteers through its flagship International Citizen Service (ICS) programme. ICS is funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and works in a consortium with VSO (lead agency), Progressio, Raleigh, International Service and Tearfund.
Restless Development is also part of the Stop AIDS Campaign, and has responsibility for coordinating the Student Stop AIDS Campaign. A significant number of Student Stop AIDS campaigners are former Restless Development volunteers.