UNDP uses market research and training assessment to support youth

A side of participants on the Youth Economic Empowerment Project workshop

By: Asma Al-Mohattwari

The United Nations Development Program’s (UNDP) Youth Economic Empowerment Project recently held a workshop focused on ‘Participatory Market Needs and Training Needs Assessment’ in Sana’a, Aden and Taiz Governorates.

Kawkab al-Thaibani, a Youth Empowerment Project Communications/Advocacy National Specialist, said the assessment’s findings would not only steer the project’s future activities, but would also serve as a reference for interested stakeholders.

“The assessment aims to systematically identify market opportunities and training needs with the active participation of key stakeholders, communities and the potential target group,” she said.

The workshop displayed validation-related findings concerned with more than 40 key stakeholders from different governmental institutions, development organizations, NGOs and the private sector when it comes to the economic empowerment of Yemen’s youth.

The Youth Economic Empowerment Project is funded by the Japanese Government and is implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation. The project aspires to socially and economically empower disadvantaged youths and women with technical, entrepreneurial, managerial and confidence building skills.

Rosemary Willey, of Al’Sanah Conflict Prevention and Earl Recovery Advisor, said efforts to assist the Yemeni youth and rid the country of unemployment were underway.

Chief Technical advisor Lensing Hedden said that studies on a number of jobs sectors such as vegetable farming, poultry, fishing, beekeeping and others had been completed, suggestions would be given to youths on the best places for them to find the types of work they are seeking.

“We not only finance – we also train the youth in how to use technology in their work. We support the youth through the creation of employment opportunities to improve their lives,” said Hedden.

The final findings were derived and based on a variety of interviews, focus group discussions, and a consultative workshop with stakeholders in which ideas were collected and experience and recommendations were made use of.