WHY
More than 1.4 billion people currently live in areas affected by protracted conflicts and complex emergencies, which often extend over many years and significantly erode development gains. Under these circumstances, young people may be out of school or college and engage in jobs that are informal, unstable, underpaid, or even high-risk and harmful. In extreme cases, they leave their homes in search of safety and a better life and risk becoming victims of trafficking or exploitation.
HOW
Decent Jobs for Youth is focused on expanding the evidence base about what works to support youth in fragile situations. The findings will be used to develop guidance on promoting youth employment in fragile situations, which will in turn allow our partners to launch tailored interventions at country and regional level. Particular emphasis will be placed on empowering youth through innovative use of technology, from promoting skills development and employment creation through cash transfers (especially mobile money), to jobs in service provision and recovery, and enterprise and cooperative development. These efforts are aligned with the Employment and Decent Work for Peace and Resilience Recommendation, 2017 (No. 205).
WHO
The ILO and UNDP lead this thematic priority. Decent Jobs for Youth brings together a growing number of partners who are committed to empowering youth in fragile situations and expanding their access to decent work.
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.
Securing long-term employment for migrant youth
The Hope for the Future project, funded by Postkodsstiftelsen, seeks to provide youth covered by the Upper Secondary School Act the support and tools needed to build a sustainable future in Sweden. Youth arrived as unaccompanied minors in 2015 and faced with specific and in the law outlined application-issues, are allowed to complete their education and may be eligible for permanent residency. To be eligible, they need to secure a permanent employment contract that meet specific requirements, within 6 months after graduation. The Law affects about 7,500 youth. Through multi-sectoral collaborations, the project supports their transition to employment.