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Youth Initiative for Employment, Livelihood & Dignity (YIELD) program

Fafan zone – somali Region – Ethiopia

Program Overview

Program Goal
To enable 1,050 vulnerable, underserved young men and women in Harawa Woreda to access dignified and fulfilling work opportunities by October 30, 2026.

location:-

Harawo District, Fafen Zone, Somali Region, Ethiopia

Duration:-

1 December 2025 – 30 October 2026

Donor / Partner:-

Mastercard Foundation / Ethiopian Somali Development Association

Target Population :-

Disadvantaged youth (rural & peri-urban)

Target Beneficiaries:-

1,050 youth (80% women; 10% vulnerable groups)

Total Budget:-

USD 168,500.22

Thematic Area:-

Food Security and Livelihoods

Program Description

The Challenge
Harawa District faces persistent socio-economic barriers that limit the potential of its growing youth population. Climate shocks continue to reduce agricultural productivity, disrupt value chains, constrain income-generating opportunities for rural youth, and undermine household resilience.  

Many youths lack market-relevant skills, financial inclusion, mentorship, and entry points into agriculture, livestock, and micro-business value chains. These challenges prevent them from accessing dignified, sustainable work and exacerbate vulnerabilities across households and communities. Gender norms further restrict women’s participation in economic activities.

Why YIELD

A targeted youth employment program is urgently required to equip youth with market-driven skills, financial literacy, Start-up and enterprise support. Strengthening youth productivity across agriculture, small businesses, and livestock value chains is essential to reducing unemployment, improving resilience, and expanding gender-inclusive economic participation.

The YIELD Program addresses these barriers by providing inclusive, climate-smart, market-driven pathways to dignified employment for 1,050 youth. The program equips youth with skills, start-up support, and enterprise development opportunities in agriculture, livestock, and small businesses. It strengthens human, social, financial, and physical capital through: Vocational and business skills development; Mindset transformation and soft skills; Access to inputs, tools, and entrepreneurship support; and financial literacy, mentorship, and market and financial institution linkages. The program aligns with the Young Africa Works Strategy, the national Plan of Action for Job Creation, and the Somali Region Development Plan.

Implementation Approach

The program will achieve the above through the following three interventions.

  • Integrated Agriculture for Employment (500 youth): Establish and strengthen youth groups to engage in climate-smart agriculture: horticulture, dairy, poultry, apiculture, fodder production, and animal fattening.
  • Market-Driven Skills & Small Enterprise Development (500 youth): Develop skills for employment and self-employment: Henna art & beauty services; Tailoring & dressmaking; Catering services; Electronic and mobile repair; Plumbing, electrical, and mechanical services; Home decoration and furnishing, and related trades.
  • Livestock Value Addition (50 youth): Support one youth-owned MSME in dairy and livestock products value addition.
  • The program ensures that 80% of jobs created benefit women and promotes youth ownership of enterprises through both financial and non-financial support.
  • Cross-Cutting Themes: Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment, Protection and GBV Risk Mitigation, Do-No-Harm & Safeguarding (PSEA compliant), Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), and Environmental Sustainability & Climate Resilience

Achievements / Results

  • Onboarding and Co-Creation Implementation Workshop completed
  • Strengthened partnerships with government, youth-led structures, and local cooperatives
  • Community mobilization and youth targeting mechanisms established

Partners & Stakeholders

CAAP implements YIELD in collaboration with:

  • Regional Level: Finance Bureau; Skills and Job Creation Bureau
  • Woreda Level: Woreda Finance Office
  • Community Level: Cooperatives and youth groups
  • Private Sector: MSMEs, local enterprises, and financial service providers
  •  

Sustainability Strategy

  • Local Ownership: Youth committees, women’s associations, and MSMEs engaged throughout implementation.
  • Market Linkages: Strong partnerships with cooperatives, private sector actors, and financial institutions.
  • Skills Transfer: Practical, market-relevant vocational, technical, and entrepreneurial skills that remain beneficial beyond the project.
  • Community Engagement: Religious leaders, elders, and local structures support women’s participation and behavior change.
  • Environmental Sustainability: Promotion of climate-smart agriculture and eco-friendly enterprises
  • Scalability: Program model designed for replication across districts in the Somali Region.

Resources

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