Youth vocational training initiatives launched in Burundi and Côte d'Ivoire

In Burundi, the Youth Economic Empowerment and Employment Program (PAEEJ) has launched vocational training for 25 unemployed youths in the Bubanza commune. The program includes 15 participants learning leatherworking and 10 learning plumbing. Donatien Bora, the PAEEJ official for Bubanza and Mpanda, stated that since 2021, the program has supported 293 cooperatives and companies, resulting in over 800 jobs created in these areas.

In Côte d'Ivoire, a first cohort of 200 young people in the Nawa region has completed training in agri-food processing. Supported by UNICEF and the Ministry of National Education, the project aims to train 500 youths across localities including Soubré, Guéyo, Buyo, Oupoyo, and Méagui. Training focuses on producing goods from local raw materials, such as cassava-enriched yogurt, liquid soap, carrot oil, and shea butter ointment, to promote professional integration and autonomy.