By Our Reporter
The MasterCard Foundation is launching a US$ 74 million youth employment initiative in Uganda and Ghana dubbed the ‘Youth Forward Initiative’. The event will take place in Entebbe later this week with representatives from financial service providers, relevant government ministries, the private sector, educational institutions and youth-based organizations.
This five year initiative is expected to reach over 200,000 economically disadvantaged young people, aged between 15 and 24 years. It is focused on youth living on less than US$ 2 per day, who are out of school, unemployed or underemployed and are seeking quality employment or the opportunity to start their own businesses in the growing agricultural and construction sectors. This model uses a holistic approach that combines market-relevant skills training, mentorship, internships and access to financial services to help young people transition out of poverty and into sustainable livelihoods.
“The Foundation recognizes that in order for youth to reach their full potential, they must have access to the right skills and opportunities. By bringing together multiple partners with varying types of expertise, we can better support young people through practical skills development, networking opportunities and access to appropriate financial services so they can successfully find a job, further their education or start their own businesses,
