Scaling Up Youth Employment in Agriculture Initiative
In Zambia and Zimbabwe, due to a mismatch between the skills they have and those in demand, youth cannot access or create economic opportunities and overlook those available. The project builds skills and matches youth with firms, markets and finance to create more and better (self)-employment in agri-food, renewable energy and emerging sectors, contributing to Swiss priorities on human and economic development and climate change. This is a contribution implemented by SNV.
Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
---|---|---|---|
Zambia Zambia and Zimbabwe Zimbabwe |
Employment & economic development Vocational training Agriculture & food security nothemedefined
Employment creation
Vocational training Agricultural services & market |
01.05.2024
- 30.04.2028 |
CHF 4’600’000
|
- Additional 24’000 youth benefit from financial, basic life (or soft) skills, and business courses.
- Of the total youths, 12’000 receive guidance, coaching, and support in developing key skills and competencies necessary for employment or entrepreneurship.
- Average yearly earnings increase to USD 720 from USD 290 and USD 216 for male and female youth respectively.
- Above 2’000 new youth-led enterprises are formed or established
- 16 localised policy forums where youth are engaged and consulted
- Skill development to over 23’000 young people (about 15’000 (54%F) in Zimbabwe and over 8’000 (49%F) in Zambia).
- Over 10’000 jobs (over 5’000 in Zimbabwe and over 4’000 in Zambia).
- Increased participants’ incomes by an average of 80% (88% Zimbabwe/71% in Zambia).
- Gender income disparity narrowed from 29% at baseline to 17% at ending in Zambia with Zimbabwe having insignificant shifts as they were near null at baseline.
- Over ¾ of young people went into the informal sector whereas almost ¼ worked in the formal sector.
- Other international or foreign NGO North
- Foreign private sector South/East
- SNV – Netherlands Development Organisation (contribution)
-
Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation OTHER SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES
EDUCATION
AGRICULTURE
Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Employment policy and administrative management
Vocational training
Agricultural services
Cross-cutting topics The project also supports partner organisation improvements
Aid Type Mandate without fiduciary fund
Project and programme contribution
Project number 7F10076
Background | Southern Africa has a youth demographic bulge at the backdrop of precarious employment opportunities and climate change challenges. Growth experienced in the region has not been pro-poor with women and youth faring worse. Gaps exist in the translation of available policies into desired results for the youth. Even though Zambia and Zimbabwe are comparable on the policy situation, the market conditions are starkly different with Zambia’s being more favourable compared to Zimbabwe’s. Zimbabwe comparatively faces major sociopolitical and economic environment ills. |
Objectives | The overall goal is to improve livelihood and future prospects for additional 24’000 youth (11’000 in Zimbabwe and 13’000 in Zambia, at least 50% being young women) and 120’000 indirect beneficiaries, by creating green (self)-employment and entrepreneurial opportunities in agri-food, renewable energy and emerging sectors. |
Target groups |
The primary target group is unemployed and under-employed out-of-school young people between 18 and 30 years with the majority being those between 21 and 26. The secondary target group includes various institutions and organisations whose capacity will be strengthened by the project. |
Medium-term outcomes |
Outcome 1: Additional 24’000 out of school youth (at least 50% young women) improve their employability skills. Youth with improved employability skills are matched with market opportunities and mentored into self-employment and enterprise development. Outcome 2: Improved ecosystem’s effectiveness (public, private and civil service providers and private sector companies) in providing employability and employment opportunities. Over 13’000 young people enter new jobs or markets. Outcome 3: Improved youth employment policy environment at national level via company partnerships, household and community engagement, and improved government coordination and implementation resulting in more effective strategies for youth employability and employment creation. |
Results |
Expected results: Results from previous phases: Lessons learnt include the need to engage in select value chains supported by enterprise and market development. The diversity and varied needs of the youth also emerged as crucial driving elements for business aspirations and desired pathways for employment. |
Directorate/federal office responsible |
SDC |
Credit area |
Development cooperation |
Project partners |
Contract partner International or foreign NGO Private sector |
Coordination with other projects and actors |
Strategic knowledge institutions, private companies, youth focused Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). Within SDC portfolio in Zambia and Zimbabwe the Energy and Environment Partnership Africa (EEP) Trust Fund and Urban Food Security and Resilience Building Project. |
Budget | Current phase Swiss budget CHF 4’600’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 819’000 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF 4’802’233 Budget inclusive project partner CHF 18’560’000 |
Project phases | Phase 2 01.05.2024 - 30.04.2028 (Current phase) Phase 1 01.08.2018 - 31.12.2023 (Active) |