Overdependence on fishing and agriculture coupled with inadequate infrastructure has made some neighbourhoods in Quelimane City vulnerable. The current legacy of HIV/AIDS, psychological trauma caused by orphanhood, reduced income in child-led families and unemployment has reduced school opportunities for many children at different levels of schooling.

The City of Quelimane has adopted various tools or mechanisms for participatory governance where there is inclusion and cooperation of city actors and the citizens. Involvement of children in city planning, has opened up their views concerning activities and coordination programmes, where they can be part of and are now aware of  their right to propose what they desire for their city.

• Rehabilitation of the Namuinho children's park.

• Planning meetings involving children and municipal children's associations.

• Monitoring and evaluating the activities of the city.

• Mapping of various spaces utilizing mobile phones and GPS.

• Nutritional and health awareness-raising among students, school council, parents and guardians.

• Environmental awareness raising on separation and transformation of solid waste involving students from primary and seconday schools.

• Holding annual Children's Carnival guided by the Children's Parliament with direct support from the city.

Formal and informal interactions with children, women and young people at all levels can contribute to enabling and strengthening the mechanisms for their involvement in the development of the community in which they live. The success and impact of civic mobilisation for community engagement depends largely on the involvement of citizens in neighbourhoods, influential people, and interest groups, rather than on organised groups in the project intervention. Children should be included in the civic mobilisation and interaction mechanism for a prosperous city.