THE NEXT ECONOMY II Mali, Nigeria, Somalia DURATION: January 2020 - December 2023 TOTAL BUDGET: €7,254,809 – spent in 2020 €1,364,791
Project description The aim of the Next Economy II is to break
selected for Core Life Skills training. • Over 420 young people subsequently progressed to employability training, so
vulnerable but motivated young people to
they could eventually find a decent job in
Laughing proudly, Deborah welcomes us
develop their talents and encouraging them
a company or institute.
from behind her knitting machine. Deborah
to create their own future jobs by supporting them with their start-ups and by teaching them the right skills that respond to labour market demands, thus increasing their
• 205 young people went on to follow
believes she will make it in the niche market
entrepreneurship training to start their
of knitwear: “You have to make it attractive to
own company.
people. I have confidence I will succeed.”
• Various activities were carried out to fulfil
chances of obtaining and retaining a decent
the objective of preparing the corporate
The Next Economy gave her the knowledge
job.
ecosystem in the programme countries as
and base she needed to launch Faidez Wears
It is an established and mature employment
effectively as possible for the influx of
in a good way. Deborah: “I learned the
and entrepreneurship programme that
young people on the local labour markets.
necessary skills to start a business properly.
creates jobs and opportunities for young people in challenging and vulnerable contexts. Partners in six locations in Nigeria (3), Mali (1) and Somalia (2) are facilitated in creating opportunities for young people. By working with young people, business incubation hubs, employment organisations, the business community and the authorities,
• A number of projects were developed, including • A strategy to generate specific attention
Setting up a business model, gaining financial skills, the importance of knowledge about the industry and the market, and how to
for gender-related issues involved in
market your company. And also about the
finding a job;
important soft skills, such as business ethics,
• Anchoring the TNE model in the local ecosystems; • Establishing basic principles and
communication, building a network and perhaps, most importantly, building confidence. Because you can’t build a business
the ambitions and career goals of young
guidelines related to the safety and
without confidence. You have to be confident
people are aligned with the needs and
integrity of participants, as well as local
to make people believe in your product.”
opportunities on the labour market. This
implementers within the programme.
It is this confidence that led to the growth of Faidez Wears. “Knitwear is not the clothing
enables young people to take the step from Besides the above-mentioned reduction in
people normally wear in this climate. You
training cycles the restrictions resulting from
have to make it attractive to them. Show them
Target group
Covid-19 also meant that live training
and let them feel that wool is also comfortable
Young people aged between 18 and 35 who
sessions were not always possible. As an
when it is warm, that it is fashionable. It also
are disadvantaged on the labour market. Due
alternative, training courses were brought
challenges me to come up with new ideas
to a lack of resources and networks they
online, which participants could follow on
such as hair bands and scarves, accessories.
have no access to work, support for entrepre-
their laptop or phone.
You have to create a need.”
neurship or services. Most currently have no
Two training cycles are planned in 2021. In
Deborah took part in The Next Economy
decent work or are underemployed and run
addition, we are trying to catch up with part of
project for two years. In that time she also
the risk of social exclusion.
the backlog from 2020. And we are starting to
made good contacts. Together with other
implement the above mentioned projects.
participants, they set up a platform to stay in
education/training to decent work.
Sustainable Development Goals
touch, to share business opportunities with
Impact
each other, refer their businesses to
Young people in challenging and vulnerable
prospective clients and to exchange
situations have compiled their own career
feedback.
Main activities and results in 2020
plan in order to take the step towards decent
Her goals are clear: “I want to build an
Due to Covid-19 we have only completed
work and with that towards self-reliance and
eco-friendly brand that uses recycled waste
one training cycle instead of the two planned.
an independent, bright future.
products and other sustainable options
• In total 7,000 young people in Mali,
28 | SOS CHILDREN’S VILLAGES ANNUAL REPORT 2020
Building confidence
the vicious circle of poverty by enabling
leveraging technology. I want to create
Nigeria and Somalia/Somaliland regis-
awareness for the knitwear industry in
tered for The Next Economy II, of whom
Nigeria and make knitwear fashionable. Not
700 young people were ultimately
just in Nigeria, but for all of Africa.
