The D & G Programme seeks to expand and sustain the democratic space in Kenya by advocating for a strong institutional framework and enhancing the capacity of the citizenry in democracy and good governance. Specifically the programme seeks to:

a) Rebuild the democratic culture among young people in Kenya by enhancing their civic awareness around the ideals of nationhood, patriotism and constitutionalism;
b) Increase the level and quality of participation by young people in public policy, engaged governance and national development and improve the responsiveness of public policy to the development priorities of young people;
c) Reinforce accountability by public systems and institutions in the management of public resources and delivery of public services.

Past and ongoing projects under the programme include:
 In conjunction with the African Youth Parliament and the Ministry of Planning & National Development was involved in the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) process of the NEPAD. As a member of the civil society and a voice for the Kenyan youth, Youth Alive! Kenya has been involved in the sensitisation, review and consensus-building process.

 In conjunction with the Youth Division under the Department of Social Services (currently the Ministry of Youth Affairs) and GIZ, the organisation worked on the formulation of the Kenya National Youth Policy and its subsequent Action Plan with a critical focus on the priority areas of Health and Youth Empowerment & Participation since January 2004. Thereafter, Youth Alive! Kenya through financial and technical support from the African Youth Parliament Project of the African Youth Foundation, and in partnership with its affiliate country programme, Kenya Youth Parliament, conducted an elaborate awareness creation and dissemination of the Policy and its Action Plan to youth constituencies and local leaders across several districts of Kenya.

 Supported by the Kenya Community Development Foundation, Youth Alive! Kenya implemented the Uongozi Project, a leadership development project that sought to enhance the participation of Kenyan youth in national development by enhancing their leadership competencies to enable their full participation in the political, social and economic development.

 Uzalendo Youth Patriots project aims to bring about increased awareness and participation by young people in public policy issues and further promote transparency and accountability of public systems and institutions to ensure effective delivery of services.

 Husika Urekebishe – Participate to Restore project seeks to promote peace and reconciliation by fostering intercultural dialogue with appreciation of cultural diversity amongst youth

 The “Kenya Ni Moja – Youth-led Community Peace Project” in partnership with USAID seeks to inspire youth-led social reconstruction and reforms process among the communities of Kisumu and Eldoret through the development and strengthening of transformative youth leadership to promote participation in the reform processes at the community and national levels; fostering interethnic dialogue and enhancing civic awareness and the respect for human rights among young people in the region and Kenya at large; strengthening the capacity of grassroots youth community-based organizations in inter ethnic peace-building and social reconstruction within the communities in Kisumu and Eldoret regions and the wider Kenya.

• The Tushirikishe Jamii (TJ) - Let’s Incorporate Citizens Project seeks to tackle poor governance and corruption especially in the management of devolved funds at the constituency level which continues to deny marginalized people much-needed development opportunities and realization of their human rights. The Project has an objective of increasing the participation of targeted low income/slum communities in constituency development funds decision making/management processes. The TJ project is being implemented through a collaborative effort of 3 organizations, namely Forum Syd, Muungano wa Wanavijiji (Federation of informal settlement dwellers) and Youth Alive! Kenya. Forum Syd is the lead partner. Youth Alive! Kenya (YAK) is implementing the project in Kisumu County; while Muungano wa Wanavijiji (MwW) is implementing the project in Nakuru County.