Youth living in diaspora settings—particularly in refugee camps and economically vulnerable host communities—face significant barriers to stable employment and income generation. Displacement, limited access to formal education, lack of accredited vocational training institutions, and restricted labor market opportunities often leave young people without viable pathways to economic independence.
Many youth complete basic education but lack practical, market-relevant skills. Others drop out of school due to economic hardship and remain unemployed or underemployed. Without structured vocational training in fields such as mechanics, tailoring, information technology, and other technical trades, youth are often confined to irregular informal work or dependency on humanitarian assistance.
In addition, limited exposure to entrepreneurship training and business development skills prevents youth from launching small enterprises that could generate sustainable income. Without mentorship and practical training, even motivated and talented young people struggle to turn ideas into income-generating ventures.
As a result:
•Youth unemployment and underemployment remain high
•Household economic burdens increase
•Frustration and disengagement among youth may grow
•Risk of negative coping mechanisms may rise
•Community economic productivity remains constrained
Without intentional intervention, a generation of young people risks prolonged economic vulnerability and lost potential.
Purpose of the Project
The Youth Skills Development Program aims to equip young people in diaspora communities with practical vocational skills and entrepreneurship knowledge that enhance employability and self-reliance. The initiative seeks to create clear pathways from training to income generation.
Key Project Activities
The project will implement the following activities:
•Vocational training programs in mechanics, tailoring, and technical trades
•Basic and intermediate IT skills training
•Entrepreneurship and small business development workshops
•Financial literacy and business planning sessions
•Practical hands-on apprenticeships and internship placements
•Provision of starter toolkits for selected trainees
•Mentorship and career guidance support
•Formation of youth business cooperatives or savings groups
•Market linkage facilitation for products and services
Project Outcomes & Beneficiary Impact
Through this initiative, beneficiaries will experience:
•Acquisition of market-relevant vocational and technical skills
•Improved employability and job readiness
•Increased capacity to start and manage small enterprises
•Enhanced income generation and financial independence
•Reduced dependency on external aid
•Strengthened youth confidence and leadership capacity
•Increased contribution to local economic development
Ultimately, the Youth Skills Development Program will transform vulnerable youth into skilled, productive, and self-reliant contributors to their communities—strengthening both household stability and broader economic resilience.
“When youth gain skills, they gain dignity, direction, and the power to shape their future.”
