Why We Started YouthPrep
The featured image in this post is Lagos. Can you see the yellow buses? How many are there? Popularly called “Danfo” in the most populated city in Africa, Lagos, Danfo carries more young people than any other age group. 14 out of 18 passengers that use Danfo to ply Lagos roads are youth. In the next 20 years, there will be more than enough youth to cater for – they need jobs, and we need more of them to start sustainable businesses. Nigeria has one of Africa’s largest ‘youth bulges’, over 70% of its population under 35. Economic growth in Nigeria over recent years has not resulted in a rapid reduction of poverty or in the creation of sufficient decent jobs for the young and rapidly growing labour force. From 2010 to 2020, unemployment rates, as defined by the National Bureau of Statistics, consistently increased for young people. As of 2020 (Q2), youth unemployment (15–34 years old) stood at 35 per cent.
YouthPrep Theory of Change
We have designed YouthPrep based on the lessons we gleaned from our past experiences providing technical assistance to partners. These assistance include:
2018/2019. Facilitator and Trainer of Catalyst organizations in Ogun, Plateau, and Niger through the GIZ SEDIN Phase 1 and Phase 2. Catalyst organizations include the National Directorate of Employment, FUNAAB, FUTMinna, PLASMID
2020. In collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, designed, developed, and currently implementing the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the Nigeria Youth Employment Action Plan
2020 – 2023. Facilitator and Trainer of 6 cohorts of the Cloneshouse Young African Internship Program. 1,650 young people applied, but 33 were admitted into the program.
2021- 2023: Facilitator and Trainer of the first cohort of the Mastercard Foundation Young Impact Associates Program, which consisted of 12 young Nigerians.
2022. Facilitated the reflection session of the Next Economy Programme Annual Workshop for Implementing Organizations in Mali, Nigeria, and Somalia. The hubs in Nigeria included Fate Foundation, Poise Nigeria in Lagos, Aspilos, Wennovation, SOS Nigeria, Elevation Craft in Abuja; Black Innovations, Augustinian Vocational Training Center, and KRP Communications in Plateau. The Next Economy is a youth employment and entrepreneurship programme to create jobs and opportunities for African youth in challenging and fragile contexts.
2023. Evaluation of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development National Youth Investment Fund with support from Ford Foundation.
YouthPrep takes a holistic approach to supporting young people entering the labour market and taking leadership positions. Whereas many programmes recruit young people with a business idea or planned career trajectory, this programme works with those who require greater direction. To do so, it supports young people in making key choices about their financial future that fit their personality and ambition and provides the support to increase the likelihood that they are doing decent work. During this phase, young people undergo several personal, socio-cultural and economic transitions. By providing them with coaching and structured practical learning, the programme aims to ensure that young people can better understand what they want, work constructively to reach their goals, and ultimately fulfil their aims and ambitions.
