We are committed to championing dignified employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for young men and women by supporting TVET’s to contribute towards reduction in the high level of unemployment especially among the youth.
Across the continent, more youth are finding it more challenging than ever before to secure stable and regular employment that lets them grow and develop skills that lead to secure livelihoods. According to AfDB (2016)[1], of Africa’s nearly 420 million youth aged 15-35, one-third are unemployed and discouraged, another third are vulnerably employed, and only one in six is in wage employment. The report further alludes to the fact that, while 10 to 12 million youth enter the workforce each year, only 3.1 million jobs are created, leaving vast numbers of youth unemployed. According to the 2017 Human Development Index (HDI) the unemployment rate of youth aged 15-35 in the East African countries as 2016 was 17.6% Kenya 6.3 %. Supporting data also indicates that the age range 15-24 forms a 25.6% unemployment rate twice that of 25-44 age group.
Youth Senate Kenya, want to create a world where the most disadvantaged youth, have equal chances to develop marketable skills, find sustainable jobs, gain skills to set up and run successful businesses and grow their family income. We invest in programmes that create systems change, addressing the barriers these groups face when it comes to earning a living. We are also supporting existing small and growing businesses with the expertise they need to scale up and create more employment opportunities
Our initiatives
2.1 Youth in Business project: Youth Senate Kenya business competitions encourage and support young entrepreneurs across the country. It’s more than just a competition – we support young people through the process of business planning, and provide financial literacy and digital skills training. Youth develop innovative and viable business ideas with our support, and pitch these ideas at our regional and national business competitions, where the most promising and innovative business are awarded startup capital. After participating in our business competitions, young people are supported to launch their initiative as a sustainable social enterprise or business.
2.2 Open contracting project: When governments spend taxpayers’ money on contracts with private companies to provide public goods, services and infrastructure, there is too often room for bad planning, mismanagement and corruption. In many countries, staggering amounts of tax money are not used as planned and fail to deliver promised results. However, the public contracting process is complex, opaque and difficult to understand. YSK will ensure citizens have equal and inclusive access to public goods and services and can meaningfully engage in public resource allocation and policy decisions. Youth Senate Kenya will work with local civil society, media, activists, businesses and civic watchdog organizations to develop their ability to conduct oversight of these deals. This way they can effectively advocate to change policies and practices, or start strategic litigation, so public contracting becomes more transparent, accountable and efficient. The program also gives citizens insight into how governments and businesses obtain and spend (public) money so they, too, can become involved in holding their authorities to account.
