Youth For the Future

-    In Egypt, estimated 40% of youth are not in education, employment or training (NEETs) and up to 1.2 million young people should enter the labour market each year until 2028 (World Bank - WB).

-    Egypt hosts over 6.3 million migrants and 261,701 registered refugees and asylum seekers as of March 2021, including 131,989 Syrians (50%). The others are mainly from Sudan (49,670), South Sudan (19,951), Eritrea (19,497) and Ethiopia (16,098).

-    Among these 6.3 million, 900,000 persons are considered vulnerable. This includes around 600,000 migrants and amongst them 95,000 refugees and asylum seekers who are children (3,749 unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) registered by UNHCR in March 21).

-    The majority of refugees and asylum-seekers in Egypt are highly vulnerable, with 7 out of 10 refugees unable to meet their basic needs and face difficulties in accessing the job market due to legal issues but also lack of skills and language barriers.

-    Social integration is hindered by factors such as language and cultural barriers. This results in difficulties to interact with the host community, discrimination, and xenophobia.

The project will target a total of 30’597 persons (out of which 26’650 are young migrants, refugees and Egyptians in the age group 10 to 35 years, 247 MoYS staff and 3700 stakeholders in the governorates of Greater Cairo (Cairo, Giza and Qalubiyah governorates), Alexandria, Damietta and Kafr El-Sheikh. The project will target 14’000 indirect beneficiaries.

The project targets 70% Egyptians and 30% migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.

Outcome 1:    (micro/meso level) young Egyptians, migrants and refugees, men and women have increased their social integration and employability.

Outcome 2:    (meso level) Youth centers are equipped and capacitated to promote inclusive, child protection, and gender-responsive services for both Egyptian and migrant youth/adolescents. 

Outcome 3:    (macro level) An enabling environment created for the integration of migrants in the labour market.

Expected results:  

1.1:    The quality of service provision for employability and career prospects is improved.

1.2:    Young people’s employability skills and career prospects are increased.

2.1:    Youth centers are upgraded with improved services to enhance accessibility and participation by target groups.

2.2:    Child protection services are strengthened and accessed in Youth Centers.

3.1:    Stakeholder’s capacities to support evidence-based advocacy efforts and policy formulation is built.

3.2:    Technical support is provided to social dialogue and platforms to promote understanding and integration.

Results from previous phases:  

Inception Phase was extended by 6 months due to the COVID crisis. Nevertheless the followings could be successfully achieved:

Innovation: different players in the start-up ecosystem at the local level could be identified. A referral mechanism for the youth to benefit from the support of innovation labs.

Skills Development: digitalized training modules including a mobile application were set to substitute for the unavailability of Information Computer Technology (ICT) equipment and to ensure that the training modules can function with low bandwidth. 

Private sector: In June 2020 a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the Minister of Youth and Sports endorsing the private sector coalition. The coalition aims to provide further support to the graduates of the programme. It is not yet fully operationalized due to COVID 19 crisis.  

United Nations Children’s Fund – UNICEF (contractual agency)

International Labour Organization – ILO 

Coordination:

-    Ministry of Youth and Sports (operational partner)

Complementarity:

-    Regional East African Migration Route 

-    Inclusive green growth in Egypt (SDC)

-    Economic Inclusion (SECO)

-    Skills & TVET Project (SDC pipeline)