Action for Fundamental Change and Development (AFFCAD) officially launched the “Accelerating Youth Employability through Vocational Skills Training (AYEV)” project aimed at equipping vulnerable young people with practical skills to improve their livelihoods and reduce poverty.
Funded by the Wilde Ganzen Foundation/Blue Ambition Fund, this 24-month initiative will be implemented in Jinja and Kampala districts, targeting 300 youth aged 16 to 35, with a deliberate focus on gender equality with 60% of beneficiaries being young women and girls.
The AYEV project seeks to address high youth unemployment and limited access to vocational training, especially among disadvantaged urban communities. Through the project, participants will be trained in market-relevant vocational and entrepreneurial skills designed to enable them to either gain employment or start their own income-generating enterprises.
Speaking at the launch event, AFFCAD Executive Director, Herbert Wandera said:
“The AYEV project is not just about skills training, it’s about creating pathways out of poverty, particularly for young women. We are working closely with private sector players to ensure that what we teach aligns with real job market demands.”
The project has two key objectives:
- To equip 300 youth with quality, innovative, and labour market-relevant skills by June 2027.
- To actively engage private sector actors in shaping and supporting skills development.
The AYEV initiative contributes to the achievement of several key development goals, including: Sustainable Development Goals 1: No Poverty, Goal 5: Gender Equality and Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.
It also supports Uganda’s National Development Plan IV and Vision 2040, aligning with national priorities to empower youth as drivers of socio-economic transformation.
AFFCAD calls on government, civil society, and private sector partners to support this effort by offering apprenticeship opportunities, mentorship, and employment pathways to young people undergoing training.
“Youth are our greatest resource. When we empower them with the right skills and opportunities, we ignite economic growth and strengthen communities,” Herbert Wandera, the Executive Director added.
