Young people and green jobs programme

Young People and Green Jobs: Promoting Inclusive Employment in the Green Economy

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The Young People and Green Jobs programme tackles youth and female unemployment while supporting local SMEs and micro-entrepreneurs to create sustainable and inclusive jobs.

As the green transition in Africa opens new economic opportunities, many young people under 35 and women remain excluded from the labour market and formal value chains. The “Young People and Green Jobs” programme responds to this dual challenge by harnessing the potential of local SMEs to create sustainable and inclusive jobs in the green economy.

Approach

The programme takes an integrated approach: supporting SMEs with good growth prospects in their green transition and fundraising as well as strengthening micro-entrepreneurs in their value chains to help them become reliable and sustainable economic partners.

The programme targets:

• Mature SMEs or those with a promising growth potential with tailored support to improve environmental practices, access responsible markets and raise green financing.
• Young  self-employed entrepreneurs and economic interest groups with training, entrepreneurial support and access to finance to facilitate their sustainable integration into local value chains.

Outlook

Implemented in Senegal, the program is designed to be replicated in other geographical contexts.