WHY
Up to 60 million new jobs in the green economy could potentially be created by 2030. If properly managed, green growth can provide an opportunity to address the youth employment challenge while simultaneously preserving the environment and increasing climate resilience.
Young people are increasingly concerned about the future of the planet and their vested interest in environmental issues can act as a key driver for greening economies. Meeting future food demand also presents opportunities for creating jobs for rural youth in sustainable agriculture.
HOW
Creating job opportunities in the green economy requires a balanced set of support services that will make the sector attractive to young people and allow them to be productive while adapting the effects of climate change. Decent Jobs for Youth focuses on supporting policies to boost employment creation through greening economies and sustainable green infrastructure, including responsive skills policies in green sectors. Additionally, existing employment-intensive investments into green growth can be expanded specifically to target young people, and green entrepreneurial competencies for youth will be fostered in collaboration with business development service providers.
WHO
The ILO and UN Environment are committed to leading on this thematic priority. Decent Jobs for Youth brings together a growing number of partners who are committed to supporting the creation of green jobs and ensuring that young people have the necessary skills to work and thrive in this sector.
Green Works in Madagascar
Green Works in Madagascar aims to enhance community resilience against natural disasters, support employment recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and improve capacity for climate change adaptation through employment-intensive green works in Amboasary and Bekily regions in Southern Madagascar. The project creates skills development and employment opportunities for unemployed youth, women, and persons with disabilities through construction/rehabilitation of the rural infrastructure in vulnerable agrarian communities. Youth affected by drought and the COVID-19 crisis actively participate in the development process and can access immediate employment and income generating opportunities.
Creating pathways into decent, green careers
Prince’s Trust International and partners commit to creating pathways into decent and green careers for young people aged 15-35, from low-income backgrounds. From April 2022 to March 2025, we will support 33,021 young people (min. 50% female) from India, Pakistan, Greece, Jordan, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago, through employment and entrepreneurship programmes, with a focus on the green economy. We will equip young people with the necessary skills and knowledge and provide them with opportunities to move into employment or self-employment, including within green sectors. Funding is a mix of government, corporate, and philanthropic.