OYE in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe,
concluded
OYE Zimbabwe seeks to improve the livelihoods and future prospects for 10,000 youth by creating “green” employment and enterprise opportunities in agriculture, energy and other related sectors.
SNV in Zimbabwe started the Opportunities for Youth Employment (OYE) project in 2019. The project is made possible through partnerships with the Swedish International Development Cooperation agency (Sida Zimbabwe) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC Southern Africa).
About OYE
OYE Zimbabwe seeks to improve the livelihoods and future prospects for 10,000 youth by creating “green” employment and enterprise opportunities in agriculture, energy and other related sectors. At least 50% of them are young women. The project aims to sustainably increase youth employment and income by skills and capacity development of youth (push factor), linking these youth to market opportunities for employment and enterprise development (match factor), coaching and mentoring them in growth sectors that have concrete potential for employment creation (pull factor).
OYE applies a market-systems approach, with optimal involvement of relevant actors and stakeholders in youth employment. Early 2019, SNV in Zimbabwe finalised an extensive market scan activity in which a broad range of opportunities for (self-) employment have been identified in different geographic areas. The market scan results have been validated by a large audience of national and local stakeholders from public and private sectors.
OYE is an SNV product which was designed in 2013 to address youth employment upon invitation from Mastercard Foundation which resulted in a five-year pilot program in Tanzania, Mozambique and Rwanda. Using this model, SNV works with private sector companies, public sector actors, civil society organizations, knowledge institutions and training and coaching providers to identify and exploit opportunities that exist for youth in “green” Agriculture and Energy value chains. Following successful implementation in other African countries, OYE is now implemented in Zimbabwe to address youth unemployment and underemployment. OYE has grown into a very practical approach that works way beyond skills training, and has been tried and tested in an increasing number of African countries.
Objectives
To provide skills and capacity development to Youth (PUSH)
To link youth to market prospects for employment and business development (MATCH)
To identify and promote opportunities in growth sectors that have concrete potential for employment creation (PULL)
Key project outcomes:
Productive assets: 25% of employed youth have acquired land, livestock, and equipment, enhancing their businesses in the agribusiness sector.
Transition into employment: 57% of young people who receive skill training successfully transition into (self) employment.
Employability skills development: A total of 11,771 young people, with 57% female representation, have received skills development support.
Diversification of livelihoods: Youth have diversified into sectors like goat farming and retail shops, showing entrepreneurship and adaptability.
Income increase: The average yearly earnings of target youth have increased from $31 per month at baseline to $129 per month, with the highest income levels observed in agri-food systems, energy, and green jobs sectors.
