Context
Sierra Leone’s economy, as a whole, is weak and very exposed to external shocks, such as Ebola or COVID-19 crises. Another burden facing the country is its extremely high rate of unemployment and underemployment, with 60 to 70 per cent of the working-age population classified as working poor. Young people and women in rural areas are particularly affected.
Agriculture accounts for 55 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) and 70 per cent of employment. However, it is often only at subsistence level due to factors such as low productivity, and does not produce any surpluses.
Objective
Young people’s professional skills and job opportunities have been improved.
Approach
The project brings public and private stakeholders together to ensure that young people are better equipped to meet the labour market’s needs and that there are more jobs available for them. It has three main fields of action:
1. Skills: 11,000 young people, half of them women, are receiving demand-oriented training in vocational and business skills. The project is also providing training to 4,000 farmers so that they can increase their income.
2. Vocational education and training: The project is contributing to the development and implementation of a national policy on vocational education and training. It is also renovating and expanding four vocational education institutions and integrating practical work experience into vocational training (dual training).
3. Private sector: To ensure there are more jobs available for young people, the project is supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), for example through a financial assistance programme or commercial training. It is also establishing business development services.
The European Union (EU) is providing additional funding for the project.
Update: May 2025