Project to support labour market integration of youth affected by conflict 

These projects promote the social and professional integration of vulnerable young people aged between 14 and 25, with or without formal education, in the regions of Tillabéri and Maradi, Agadez and Zinder.

The districts in the north of the Tillabéri region are confronted with the increasing instability of security. This situation leads to the displacement of hundreds of people and hinders agriculture and livestock, the main economic sources of income.
Similarly, travel restrictions were introduced under the state of emergency. This prevents and slows down intra- and interregional trade and leads to a considerable loss of livelihoods for the local population.

There are many obstacles to the socio-economic integration of young people in Niger, including the lack of skills and work experience, the inadequacy and lack of diversification of education, the weakness of traditional education, and the lack of opportunities for internships and jobs. These obstacles are even greater in rural areas, where value chains are very poorly developed and structured.

Since 2014, a juvenile justice system has been institutionalised in Niger and a department for the protection of minors has been set up. Despite this significant progress, the situation of minors in conflict with the law has hardly changed and the issue of their reintegration remains crucial.

invalid
Tillabéri, Niger
14.2061141
1.4579696
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Maradi, Niger
13.5009779
7.103639599999999
Project duration
2019 - 2020
Financed by
  • UNICEF
  • Norad

The project

In order to tackle the challenge of integrating young people in Niger socially and professionally into the labour market, Swisscontact is developing a project specifically adapted to the local context in each of these intervention areas:

  • Project to support labour market integration of youth affected by conflict (PIPJ), in the region of Tillabéri, targeting young girls and boys affected by conflict in their communities on the Malian border

In order to support the socio-economic integration of the young people affected by these regional conflicts, Swisscontact encourages local actors to implement integrative, safe and high-quality initial vocational training. Through these short-term training courses, young people acquire technical and entrepreneurial skills in real-life work situations. The additional development of soft skills will enable them to carry out an economic activity in the local economy. At the end of their training, they will be accompanied by their community until they are integrated in a group or individually into working life.

  • Project to train and make young women independent in the region of Maradi (PFAJF), targeting young women in 5 rural communities undergoing rapid demographic development
In order to support the socio-economic integration of young girls, Swisscontact sensitises local communities to the importance of girls' economic responsibility for local development and offers them safe and high-quality initial vocational training. Accompanying measures (childcare, flexible working hours) are introduced to enable all young girls to participate.

Through these short-term training courses, young girls acquire technical and entrepreneurial skills in a real work situation and develop soft skills that enable them to carry out an economic activity linked to the local economy. At the end of their training, they are accompanied by their community until they are integrated into working life in a group.

  • Pilot project on alternatives to prosecution and detention of minors (PAPJ)
In order to support the reintegration of minors who have come into conflict with the law, Swisscontact intends to use their time in prison to acquire skills (technology, entrepreneurship, soft skills, literacy) so that they can set up their own small business with the necessary support after their release.
In addition, the project offers an alternative to the detention of minors through vocational training. Instead of imprisonment, the young person begins his socio-professional integration path. (Information and orientation about the professions, orientation towards a profession, and the acquisition of technical and vital competences that enable him to exercise a profession.)

Swisscontact supports these municipalities in the implementation of the first professional moderation training courses (Formations Initiales Professionalisantes, FIP for short) in the areas of agriculture (agro-processing, vegetable production and animal husbandry) and craft services and art.
These short-term training courses, which focus on practical application, enable young beneficiaries to acquire technical skills in order to pursue a profession that meets the needs of the local economy. The target sectors are identified on the basis of an analysis of training needs carried out in conjunction with the beneficiaries and local interest groups (local authorities, beneficiary families, family businesses, operators, etc.).

The project will also carry out activities to help young people acquire modern life skills through education, personal development and the development of their entrepreneurial spirit.

Following this training, the project helps young people to find their way into productive working life, based on financial or material support through intermediary services between beneficiaries and microfinance institutions and potential donors.






Results

Expected Results

  • 1,100 young boys and girls have acquired technical and social skills as well as entrepreneurship training to practice a profession reflecting the needs of the local economy
  • 500 young boys and girls have received support to enter the labour market and gain personal skills within economic interest groups
  • 275 young boys and girls have received one-to-one support to enter the labour market and gain personal skills
  • Local stakeholders at the regional and municipal level in Maradi and Tillabéri are involved in selecting the sectors for training, identifying youth beneficiaries, follow-up monitoring of trainings, and providing beneficiaries post-training

Les témoignages du terrain

PROJET PILOTE SUR LES ALTERNATIVES AUX POURSUITES JUDICIAIRES ET A LA DETENTION ET L’AMELIORATION DE LA PRISE EN CHARGE DES MINEURS DETENUS, Niger

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News

Niger
Labour market insertion
13.07.2021
Acquiring technical and entrepreneurial skills ensures socio-professional integration of vulnerable young people
Maman Lawan is one of the minors in a vulnerable situation who received training in restoration thanks to the UNICEF-funded project that helps integrate young people affected by conflict into the labour market.