Content of type (all types) tagged with "Conflict/Post-Conflict" for the period November 2008
Children and youth around the world are among the most severely affected demographics when countries decline into, pursue and eventually rise out of conflict. The cycle of violence leads many to enter refugee camps, to lose one or both parents and other family members, or to join the fighting themselves. The effects of this trauma present lifelong consequences for those affected, not only in terms of economic self-sufficiency but also of mental and physical health, educational attainment, and overall well being. This section of the website draws together reports, tools, guidelines and other resources on this topic to provide practitioners and donors with the information they need to meet the demands of these challenging environments.
Market Assessment and Tool Development: Supporting Out-of-School Youth Livelihoods Programming in Timor-Leste

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. It is particularly important in post-conflict areas, with many children acting as heads-of-households and without the skills to provide for their families through employment or entrepreneurship. However, youth are often guided into enterprises that have low market potential, that are not meeting immediate community needs, that are socially or environmentally unsustainable, or that are replications of other businesses 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 relating real growth opportunities to resource availability, these programs can truly achieve success and sustainability.

With this in mind, EcoVentures International (EVI) has been working with the PAS (Preparing Ourselves for Work) program in Timor-Leste to identify viable employment and enterprise opportunities to inform a training program for over 2,500 rural youth, ages 18-30. In the first phase of the project, EVI conducted a detailed market analysis of growing sectors of the Timorese economy and identified suitable entry points for youth. The goal is to introduce livelihood opportunities that are environmentally sustainable and build transferable skills for long-term employment and adaptability. Examples of such sectors include: bamboo, aquaculture, geotextiles, solar energy, and coconut processing, among others.

Each PAS participant will complete a year-long training program designed to build capacity in several core areas including: life skills, technical work skills, financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills. Through experiential, hands-on learning in a selected track, youth will then determine how to best utilize the financial capital they have accumulated. The research and tools EVI produced will inform the directions that program staff guide youth along each of these tracks, as well as the specific types of service opportunities they engage in during the training.

Contact Information:

David Sturza
david@ecoventures.org