Youth Livelihood Program (YLP)
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Youth Livelihood Program provides training and skill building that evolves through employability training, hands-on projects, enterprise gaming, and business enterprise creation. The program equips young people with the tools they need to plan and achieve a successful future.
THE CHALLENGES YOUTH FACE TODAY
56% OF YOUTH
are unemployed in East Africa
(Aga Khan University)
95% OF YOUNG WORKERS
are working in low paying, informal jobs (East Africa – ILO-2022)
OVER 70%
of African youth subsist on less than $2 a day (UN-FAO)
WHAT MAKES THE PROGRAM UNIQUE?
Upon completion of the 3-phase program, participants have the necessary skills to enter the job market, start their own businesses, or pursue higher education to achieve their dreams.
YPL has three levels that build on each other:
FOUNDATIONAL LEVEL
Students Launch Fish Raising Project
Youth-led with Hands-on Projects
12-16 learning modules with hands-on activities. Students learn foundational Leadership and entrepreneurship skill.
The program is a youth-led club that is adult guided, and inclusive for all students. It includes skill building for income generating projects.
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
Winners of the Enterprise Challenge
Enterprise Gaming and Employability
Foundational content is put to the test through gamified business tools and local projects. Skills deepen with job and enterprise readiness training.
ADVANCED LEVEL
Youth Start Businesses
Grow Your Business
Designed for youth who start an enterprise or launch a business. Students develop a growth plan and put their skills to the test.
Youth learn to build credit and secure loans, positioning themselves for long-term entrepreneurship.
Our Digital Employability and Entrepreneurship Program (DEEP) Initiative
The DEEP initiative provides out-of-school youth (ages 18-24) in rural areas with a 15-month intensive digital skills, entrepreneurship, and leadership program, training them in software development, business development, project management, and job readiness.
Through hands-on project-based training and partnerships with industry leaders like Google, Cisco, Salesforce, and Amazon, as well as local businesses and national governments, participants gain globally recognized certifications, more than 1,500 hours of field training, and the skills needed to secure employment or create their own job opportunities in the digital economy. Learn More
EVIDENCE-BASED IMPACT
We know our program works! Our youth are thriving on their chosen path, whether it be furthering their education, securing a career of their choice, or expanding their endeavors with job creation.
92%
Of students have developed a career plan (2024)
57%
Of students have started a project addressing climate change (2024)
44%
Of students have started small businesses at home (2024)
YOUNG LEADERS IN ACTION
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Program Definition and Focus
These questions target users searching for the program name, its goals, and general youth employment solutions in the region.
- What is the Youth Livelihood Program (YLP) by Asante Africa Foundation? Youth Livelihood Program provides training and skill building that evolves through employability training, hands-on projects, enterprise gaming, and business enterprise creation. The program equips young people with the tools they need to plan and achieve a successful future.
- How does the Youth Livelihood Program address the 56% youth unemployment rate in East Africa? The DEEP initiative provides out-of-school youth (ages 18-24) in rural areas with a 15-month intensive digital skills, entrepreneurship, and leadership program, training them in software development, business development, project management, and job readiness.
- What is the target age group and audience for the Youth Livelihood Program? The DEEP initiative targets out-of-school youth ages 18-24 in rural areas.
- Where does Asante Africa Foundation run its Youth Livelihood Program? The DEEP initiative is in very rural areas of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
2. Curriculum and Structure
These FAQs capture users looking for specific types of training, entrepreneurship resources, and partner names.
- What are the three levels of training in the Youth Livelihood Program? The Foundational level is a youth-led club that is adult guided, and inclusive for all students. It includes skill building for income generating projects. Foundational content is put to the test in the Intermediate level through gamified business tools and local projects. Employability skills deepen with job and enterprise readiness training. The Advanced level is designed for youth who start an enterprise or launch a business. Students develop a growth plan and put their skills to the test.
- Does the YLP curriculum include financial literacy and business development training? Financial literacy concepts are built in each level of the program. Youth learn business development concepts in the Advanced level, from building credit and securing loans to positioning themselves for long-term entrepreneurship.
- How can youth participate in The Enterprise Challenge? Intermediate students participate in The Enterprise Challenge, conducted in partnership with King’s Trust International, giving them the chance to hone their skills while developing and pitching their own business ideas.
- What is the Digital Employability and Entrepreneurship Program (DEEP)? The DEEP initiative provides out-of-school youth (ages 18-24) in rural areas with a 15-month intensive digital skills, entrepreneurship, and leadership program.
- Which digital skills are taught in the DEEP initiative (e.g., software development, project management)? DEEP participants learn software development, business development, project management, and job readiness skills.
3. Impact and Results
These questions leverage the program’s key performance indicators (KPIs) and proven success to attract donors and partners.
- What percentage of YLP students have developed a career plan? 92% of YLP participants have developed a career plan as of 2024.
- How many YLP participants have successfully started small businesses? 44% of participants have started small, home-based businesses.
- Does the Youth Livelihood Program focus on environmental entrepreneurship or climate change projects? Students choose their projects based on the needs they identify in their own communities. 57% of student projects address climate change.
- How does YLP help young entrepreneurs secure loans and build credit?
4. Getting Involved
These FAQs target potential donors, corporate partners, and volunteers looking for ways to engage with the program.
- How can I partner with Asante Africa Foundation to support youth employment programs? Asante Africa Foundation continuously seeks partners to sponsor expansion of these programs to additional areas. Contact us if you are interested in learning more.
- How can I donate to the Youth Livelihood Program? When you Donate to Asante Africa Foundation, you can specify that your gift be directed to the Youth Livelihood Program.
- Does Asante Africa Foundation work with companies like Google, Cisco, or Amazon in the YLP/DEEP initiative? Yes! Through hands-on project-based training and partnerships with industry leaders like Google, Cisco, Salesforce, and Amazon, as well as local businesses and national governments, participants gain globally recognized certifications, more than 1,500 hours of field training, and the skills needed to secure employment or create their own job opportunities in the digital economy.
- Where can I read success stories from the Youth Livelihood Program graduates? Several success stories are found at the bottom of our Youth Livelihood Program information page. Even more can be found here.