Giving Somali Youth Opportunities to Support Them Self

Children & youth

Jan 19

Who: Norwegian Church Aid

What: Vocational education

Where: Somalia

Project period: 2021

In this project, Somali youth in tsomalia will receive marked relevant vocational education and training that make them well suited to get a job, give them an opportunity to support themselves and to strengthen the local community. The project will contribute to keeping youth away from trafficking, piracy activities and radicalization. Girls will be specifically prioritized to join the project also into work fields that traditionally have been dominated by men.

Youth constitutes about 73 per cent of the population in Somalia. The unemployment rate for youth between 14 and 29 is 67 per cent — one of the highest in the world. The high unemployment rate, lack of opportunities and possibilities to get work or start a business, put youth at risk of being drawn into criminal activities and terrorist groups which are highly active in Somalia. Destruction of educational infrastructure and institutions across the country have led to shortages of and high demand for skilled labor. The revival of integrated training on vocational, business, and personal skills for job creation and enterprise development is an effective way to address these challenges.

jenter på skolebenken, yrkesopplæring.jpg

Project and goals

Education gives people skills to help themselves out of poverty. To be successful it is however essential that the education and training provided are relevant for the employment marked and is helping young people to access income-generating work that can ensure them and their loved ones a better life. This project does just that. It is targeted, is supporting youth, it is well integrated into the local community and is contributing to strengthening local companies by providing access to skilled and motivated labor. Girls participation is prioritized also in training and educations that has been traditionally dominated by boys.

Working closely with local business and companies is essential so the students have a good chance to get a job after they have finished the education.

The support from the Grieg Foundation is crucial for this important and good work to be carried out. We at Norwegian Church Aid are very grateful for the support and cooperation with the Grieg Foundation.