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 the vicious circle of poverty by enabling vulnerable but motivated young people to develop their talents and encouraging them 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 chances of obtaining and retaining a decent job. It is an established and mature employment and entrepreneurship programme that 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, the ambitions and career goals of young people are aligned with the needs and opportunities on the labour market. This enables young people to take the step from education/training to decent work.

Target group

Young people aged between 18 and 35 who are disadvantaged on the labour market. Due to a lack of resources and networks they have no access to work, support for entrepreneurship or services. Most currently have no decent work or are underemployed and run the risk of social exclusion.

Sustainable Development Goals

Main activities and results in 2020

Due to Covid-19 we have only completed one training cycle instead of the two planned. • In total 7,000 young people in Mali,

Nigeria and Somalia/Somaliland registered for The Next Economy II, of whom 700 young people were ultimately

selected for Core Life Skills training. • Over 420 young people subsequently progressed to employability training, so they could eventually find a decent job in a company or institute. • 205 young people went on to follow entrepreneurship training to start their own company. • Various activities were carried out to fulfil the objective of preparing the corporate ecosystem in the programme countries as effectively as possible for the influx of young people on the local labour markets. • A number of projects were developed, including • A strategy to generate specific attention for gender-related issues involved in finding a job; • Anchoring the TNE model in the local ecosystems; • Establishing basic principles and guidelines related to the safety and integrity of participants, as well as local implementers within the programme.

Besides the above-mentioned reduction in training cycles the restrictions resulting from Covid-19 also meant that live training sessions were not always possible. As an alternative, training courses were brought online, which participants could follow on their laptop or phone. Two training cycles are planned in 2021. In addition, we are trying to catch up with part of the backlog from 2020. And we are starting to implement the above mentioned projects.

Impact

Young people in challenging and vulnerable situations have compiled their own career plan in order to take the step towards decent work and with that towards self-reliance and an independent, bright future.

Building confidence

Laughing proudly, Deborah welcomes us from behind her knitting machine. Deborah believes she will make it in the niche market of knitwear: “You have to make it attractive to people. I have confidence I will succeed.”

The Next Economy gave her the knowledge and base she needed to launch Faidez Wears in a good way. Deborah: “I learned the necessary skills to start a business properly. Setting up a business model, gaining financial skills, the importance of knowledge about the industry and the market, and how to market your company. And also about the important soft skills, such as business ethics, communication, building a network and perhaps, most importantly, building confidence. Because you can’t build a business without confidence. You have to be confident to make people believe in your product.” It is this confidence that led to the growth of Faidez Wears. “Knitwear is not the clothing people normally wear in this climate. You have to make it attractive to them. Show them and let them feel that wool is also comfortable when it is warm, that it is fashionable. It also challenges me to come up with new ideas such as hair bands and scarves, accessories. You have to create a need.” Deborah took part in The Next Economy project for two years. In that time she also made good contacts. Together with other participants, they set up a platform to stay in touch, to share business opportunities with each other, refer their businesses to prospective clients and to exchange feedback. Her goals are clear: “I want to build an eco-friendly brand that uses recycled waste products and other sustainable options leveraging technology. I want to create awareness for the knitwear industry in Nigeria and make knitwear fashionable. Not just in Nigeria, but for all of Africa.