Local Employment in Africa for Development (LEAD II)
Description
By developing business ideas, providing training and coaching, and supporting access to finance, the LEAD programme established new businesses in Libya, Tunisia and Somalia. Young entrepreneurs (especially women) and existing SMEs left the programme with the technical skills required and the capacity to grow through facilitating access to markets, technical/soft skills training, and finance.
In Somalia and Somaliland, this project nurtured a culture of entrepreneurship by providing aid to sustainable youth employment, promoting entrepreneurship and digital education, and actively involving young individuals in entrepreneurship through various global events. As a result, this initiative has created ample job opportunities, fostered economic growth, and empowered numerous young individuals to become successful entrepreneurs.
Project Objectives
Create sustainable youth employment, focusing on young women, through coaching, training, and facilitating SMEs' access to finance and markets.
Integrate entrepreneurship education in secondary and higher education to promote entrepreneurship among young people.
Encourage entrepreneurship among youth through global entrepreneurship events, to support thousands of young individuals.
Achievements
By integrating training, business development services, and financial access from local banks, the program has led to an increase in cash revenue for SMEs and substantial job creation for unemployed youth.
Enhanced interest in entrepreneurship and private sector employment among youth.
The establishment of an investment management committee to prevent conflicts regarding startup grants, promoting transparency and sustainability.
Through entrepreneurship training and improved access to finance, young SMEs have been instrumental in creating job opportunities for jobless youth. As a result, youth engaged in SMEs have witnessed improved livelihoods through increased income.
LEAD II Impact
Impact
The LEAD program has left a significant legacy by fostering an increased focus on digitalization and entrepreneurship among young people. This legacy has driven independent employment and innovative business startups within the community. One enduring impact has been a surge in independent employment opportunities, including remote work and the establishment of new startups, driven by the skills acquired through the program.
The program underscored the significance of integrating practical, job-relevant skills into training programs, recognizing that young people need skills that align directly with the demands of the job market, especially in the ever-evolving digital age. Flexibility and adaptability in curriculum development were highlighted as essential, as curricula must evolve to stay current with the evolving job market's demands. The program emphasized the importance of cultivating entrepreneurship skills and fostering innovation among young people, becoming a central focus for empowering youth to explore entrepreneurial endeavors.
Participation in the LEAD program enriched organizational capabilities and expanded networks for Shaqodoon, enabling better service to youth in the community. The program also introduced crowdfunding as an innovative financing mechanism for young entrepreneurs, empowering them to gather contributions from various sources, opening up new avenues for funding startups and business ventures.
More Details
Project Director: Abdiqani Abdillahi Dirie | Email
Location: Somalia, Somaliland, and Puntland
Start Date - End Date: January 2017 - November 2023
Donor(s): Netherlands Ministry and Foreign Affairs
Partner(s): SPARK