Rwanda's Ikirenga Art and Culture Promotion has signed a long-term partnership with the U.S.-based International Youth Media Summit (IYMS), positioning the Kigali NGO as Africa's anchor partner for global youth media development. The collaboration, which the two organizations describe as a strategic alliance, creates new pathways for young Rwandan creatives to engage on a global stage through media, storytelling, and cultural exchange. The partnership formalizes a long-standing relationship between the two organizations and sets a structured roadmap for cooperation across Rwanda and the wider

Rwanda's Ikirenga Art and Culture Promotion has signed a long-term partnership with the U.S.-based International Youth Media Summit (IYMS), positioning the Kigali NGO as Africa's anchor partner for global youth media development.

The collaboration, which the two organizations describe as a strategic alliance, creates new pathways for young Rwandan creatives to engage on a global stage through media, storytelling, and cultural exchange.

The partnership formalizes a long-standing relationship between the two organizations and sets a structured roadmap for cooperation across Rwanda and the wider East African region. IYMS is a U.S.-based international youth media organization with more than 20 years of global experience, including institutional connections to UNESCO. Ikirenga ACP is a Kigali-based cultural development NGO. The agreement reflects a shared vision of strengthening Rwanda's presence in international youth media platforms while fostering peacebuilding and cross-cultural dialogue.

Key Areas of Collaboration

The initiative is structured around five pillars. Young people in Rwanda will benefit from hands-on training in filmmaking and storytelling using IYMS methodologies. Ikirenga ACP will identify and prepare youth delegates to represent Rwanda at global summits starting in 2027. The partnership will also support co-produced media projects addressing global social issues, with screenings both locally and internationally.

A key feature of the collaboration is the establishment of two-way international exchange programs, connecting Rwandan youth directly with IYMS global alumni networks. This will be complemented by joint fundraising initiatives, including collaborative grant applications aimed at securing international support to sustain and expand the programs. All programs delivered under the partnership will be co-branded between the two organizations.

Phased Implementation

The partnership follows a clear implementation roadmap. The foundation phase, beginning in 2026, covers the formalization of the agreement, the launch of training programs, film screenings, and joint funding preparations. The growth phase in 2027 will see the first cohort of Rwandan delegates participate in IYMS international summits, alongside the launch of joint media projects and the first exchange programs.

From 2028 onwards, the focus shifts to long-term sustainability , anchored by the establishment of the IYMS African Regional Center (ARC) in Rwanda, with Ikirenga ACP serving as its primary anchor partner on the continent.

Institutional Roles and Strategic Value

Under the agreement, Ikirenga ACP serves as the lead in-country implementation partner, responsible for coordination, youth engagement, and local program delivery. IYMS provides access to its global network, training expertise, international platforms, and institutional support.

The collaboration also creates the possibility for Rwanda to host future IYMS Summit activities, further strengthening the country's profile as a hub for youth media innovation in Africa. For Ikirenga, the partnership offers increased international credibility, direct access to global youth media networks, strengthened fundraising capacity, and a long-term institutional alliance with a UNESCO-connected organization.

A Long-Term Alliance

This initiative represents more than a short-term project. It is a strategic alliance designed to transform youth media development in Rwanda and across Africa, positioning Ikirenga ACP as a central actor in shaping cultural exchange between Rwanda, Africa, and the global community.

For Rwanda's youth, this is not just an opportunity, it is a powerful step toward becoming global storytellers, innovators, and leaders in the digital age.

A little more informed. A little more connected.