Bridge Initiative for Youth Employment - United Nations Partnerships for SDGs platform

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Bridge Initiative for Youth Employment

Description
SDGs & Targets
Deliverables & timeline
Resources mobilized

Description/achievement of initiative

The Bridge Initiative envisions a world where all youth are active participants of the social and economic development through relevant education and decent work. To achieve this, we will focus on Sub-Saharan African countries, starting with the Democratic Republic of Congo, by conducting research projects on the skills, education and opportunity gaps dividing youth from the job market. Evidence-based interventions will then be implemented in the form of training and education opportunities, skills development on workplace behaviors and entrepreneurship, and volunteer and internships placements with partner organizations in order to increase youth employability.

Implementation methodologies

Recruitment of Young Talent:The Bridge Initiative empowers youth with the information and resources they need to pursue careers with purpose through volunteerism and social entrepreneurship:* We identify talented youth in rural and urban areas through recruitment and selection processes in universities, churches and schools. * We also use social media to attract talent, then we build capacity of young people on soft, technical, and vocational skills that will better equip them for decent work. * We build capacity of young people and invest in their future, tapping into their potential to invest in a generation of young ethical leaders.Networking - Advocacy - Partnerships:Partnerships are essential to our success, that's why networking is key to our strategy. In partnership with the private sector, academic institutions, schools, government agencies, Ministries, Embassies, UN agencies, and civil society organizations, the Bridge Initiative is building a wide spectrum of high-quality opportunities for its volunteers to put their skills to use in order to gain experience, increase their employability, and make an impact to your organization and to society at large.

Arrangements for Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer

Capacity and technology transfer will be implemented through online platforms.

Coordination mechanisms/governance structure

The Bridge Initiative will be implemented through partnerships with key stakeholders based in DRC, Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania, with a collaborative approach to make education more relevant to the needs of the 21st century workplace. This initiative will be governed by the Board of Directors of the Bridge Initiative, coordinated by an Executive Director and partner organizations based in 4 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania.

Partner(s)

* Young African Leaders Initiative * Congo Leadership Initiative * United States Department of State * SNV (Netherlands Development Organization, DRC) * United Nations Volunteers * Clinton Global Initiative

Progress reports

Goal 1

Goal 4

4.3 - By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university

4.4 - By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship

4.5 - By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations

4.6 - By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy

4.7 - By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development

Goal 8

8.1 - Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least 7 per cent gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed countries

8.2 - Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors

8.3 - Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services

8.5 - By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value

8.6 - By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training

8.9 - By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products