NEWS YEN Launches Grant Scheme in the MRU to Promote Youth Employment Posted by on Dec 2, 2008, 17:28

On December 1, 2008, the Youth Employment Network (YEN) will launch a competitive grant scheme for youth led organizations in the Mano River Union (Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone). Applicants can apply for grants between USD 2’000 and 50’000.

The MRU countries have experienced violent conflicts resulting in major challenges for the societies in preparing their young work force for employment as well as creating decent work for youth. The rebuilding of societies after conflict is in great need of the talents and aspirations of young people. Young people are a major asset that cannot be lost. Youth are the future but need nurture to grow to its full potential.

This scheme will therefore serve as a laboratory to identify and implement innovative projects with potential to provide employment opportunities for young people. It also provides an opportunity to actively engage youth organizations demonstrating the potential of youth as active participants in development.

The Scheme is part of a 4-year UN inter-agency (UNIDO, ILO, UNDP, and YEN) programme aiming at improving youth employment in the MRU. YEN agreed with the lead agency UNIDO to come up with a competitive grant scheme for youth led organizations in these countries. The World Bank has committed additional funding.

Eligible applicants are officially registered, non-governmental, non-profit youth led organizations in the four MRU countries. Project proposals should contribute to youth employment in any of the following areas:

§    Community projects and services

§    Youth entrepreneurship

§    Transition from school to work

§    Vocational training for young people

§    Economic empowerment of young women

Projects will be selected through a transparent selection process based on pre-established criteria by a neutral selection committee. Selected projects as well as any major lessons learned from implementation will be published on the YEN web site.

In order to mobilize complementary resources and to improve sustainability, youth organizations are strongly encouraged to enter into partnerships with other actors such as private enterprises, business associations, foundations, or government agencies.

An information event on applying for the grant will be held in Freetown on December 16 2008, from 9h00 to 17h00 at the Hotel Cabenda. The event will provide practical information on the application procedures and guidance on proposal design to meet the selection criteria of this Grant Scheme for representatives of eligible youth organizations. Representatives interested in attending must complete a registration form and send it yen-wa@un.org before 8 December to reserve their place. Each event will hold a maximum of 40 participants. Members of the press are also invited to attend.

Grant application forms, guidelines background information and the information event registration form can be found at www.ilo.org/yen. The deadline for applications for a grant is 14 February 2009.

For more information please contact:

Sara Spant

Task Manager, YEN Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland,

spant@ilo.org +41227996119

Tendai Pasipanodya

Programme Officer, YEN Office for West Africa (YEN-WA) in Dakar, Senegal, pasipanodyat@un.org +221338698574

Friday, 28 November 2008

About the Youth Employment Network