Building the capacity of youth to be workforce-ready and equipped with entrepreneurial skills is a common method of addressing economic development needs in economies in which youth are the largest sector of the population and/or the sector of population that has the lowest employment rates. However, so often youth are guided into enterprises that have low market potential, are not meeting immediate community needs, that are socially or environmentally unsustainable, or that are replications of other businesses that are already run extensively throughout the community. By assessing opportunities for youth prior to their training, and incorporating an understanding of the need to assess the environmental implications of any business or industry development, and related real growth opportunities in regards to resource availability, these programs can truly achieve success and sustainability.

The Haitian Out-of-School Youth Livelihood Initiative (IDEJEN) is a project of Education Development Center (EDC). It was launched in 2003 to provide education and job training for Haitian youth ages 15-24 with little to no formal education. IDEJEN provides program participants with support in the areas of employability and skills training, basic and vocational education, job placement and small business development.