Honiara, Solomon Islands –Youth@Work (Y@W) together with UN Peacebuilding Fund project (UNPBF), implemented by UNDP and UN Women, officially launched a partnership to train more than 100 youth from informal settlements around Honiara city, who have limited to no opportunities to earn sustainable living, to be active peacebuilders while undergoing entrepreneurship and business training.
The training aims to improve the long-term economic prospects of these unemployed marginalized youths. This will be achieved through the Young Entrepreneurship Component, which includes business training, peace building sessions, mentoring, business start-up support (materials), monitoring with support from various and other activities such as the Youth Market.
At the launching ceremony, Y@W Programme Deputy Coordinator, Ms. Raywin Taroaniara extended sincere appreciation to UNPBF for the assistance rendered and said; “This will enable the Y@W to extend and cater for one hundred more youths to join the life changing programme.
Mr. Agus Wandi, Project Manager, UNBPF stressed that, “UNPBF believes and will continue to support Youth@Work to create a space that promotes youth to be actors in the development agendas”
“Solomon Island is your stage, therefore you must fully utilise your potential by acquiring new knowledge. We will support you to grow and build your future, ” Mr. Wandi said addressing the 52 youth participants at the launch.
On the same note, Acting Permanent Secretary (MWYCFA), Mr. Hugo Hebala acknowledged the support rendered towards youth and encouraged young people to take this opportunity seriously and work hard. He also said, “this traiining is in line with economic empowerment which is aligned to the National Youth Policy launcned this year.”
The youth participants who will take part in the joint programme will undergo peacebuilding training for two weeks and further basic business training on topics that will help them develop business plans and will have their ideas funded.
This partnership utilises Y@W’s Young Entrepreneurs’ Component (YEC) where the participants will have the opportunity to improve their livelihoods through running sustainable businesses and become peacebuilders in their communities.
Youth@Work is implemented by the Pacific Community, in partnership Solomon Islands Ministry of National Unity, Peace and Reconciliation, the Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs. The program is funded by the Queens Young Leaders Programme (UK), the Australian Government Aid Programme.
Youth@Work is an initiative to tackle youth unemployment in Solomon Islands and to help youth of the Solomon’s find pathways to employment and entrepreneurship.
