Eswatini: Skills for Economic and Social Inclusion through Alliances

Summary

The Skills for Economic and Social Inclusion through Alliances programme aims to empower disadvantaged youth and women in vulnerable situations in order to improve their economic and social inclusion. The overall objective of the action is to contribute towards human development and social inclusion by strengthening vocational education and training in line with labour market demands and skill needs, with a particular focus on the economic empowerment and inclusion of unemployed youth, women and other disadvantaged groups in Eswatini.

The programme is funded by the European Union (EU) and special focus will be on skills needed in the agri-food sector including agro-processing value chains that have the potential for decent and green job creation, trade-led growth and offer opportunities for synergies with ongoing EU programmes and projects. Other priority sectors include hospitality and sustainable tourism, renewable energy, manufacturing (including textiles), Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and creative industries, including through support of youth and women entrepreneurs and circular business models.

The overall Action has two outcomes that will be implemented by three implementing partners : 1) Outcome 1: To support the youth by enhancing skills through market driven vocational education and training, and alliances with the private sector, for employability and self-employment which will be implemented by GIZ and 2) Empowerment of disadvantaged youth and women in vulnerable situation in order to improve their economic and social inclusion, which will be implemented by ITC and another partner to be identified by the EU later. 

ITC will implement Output 2.1: Strengthened employability, entrepreneurial and life skills for disadvantaged and vulnerable women and youth. The programme will build on the ITC ongoing programme in Eswatini including lessons learned and best practices. It will also work in partnership with CSOs, NGOs and community leaders to reach disadvantage ground in rural Eswatini to gain skills for employment and/or self employment.