Call for EOIs: Youth-4-Change Learning-to-Earning Initiative in Eswatini

The UNICEF Youth-4-Change (Y4C) initiative in Eswatini equips youth with digital, technical, and employability skills through structured Learning-to-Earning pathways. The programme leverages the YOMA digital platform to link training with real-world opportunities in sectors such as health, education, protection, and climate justice, supporting employability, social impact, and national development priorities.

Program Overview

The Y4C Learning-to-Earning Pathways Initiative is designed to bridge the gap between skills development and employment for youth in Eswatini, a country with high youth unemployment and a large adolescent population. The initiative focuses on enabling young people to transition from learning to earning while contributing to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and national development priorities.

Key Objectives

• Provide structured Learning-to-Earning pathways for youth

• Enhance employability through digital, technical, and life skills development

• Support youth-led social and environmental impact initiatives

• Strengthen systems through evidence, technology, and partnerships

• Develop three sustainable sector-specific Y4C pathways

• Document the model for scale-up and replication

Focus Areas

The initiative targets youth participation in:

• Human Services: Sexual and Reproductive Health, Protection and Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Education, Climate Justice

• Community Engagement: Service delivery, peer education, psychosocial support, and data collection

• Workforce Development: Internships, job placements, and entrepreneurship incubation

Sectoral Outcomes

• Improved youth employability and technical competency

• Increased participation in community-level services

• Strengthened linkages between youth, public sector, and private sector stakeholders

• Enhanced verification and quality assurance of impact

Programme Components

1. Digital Platform (YOMA)

   • Connects youth to curated learning and earning opportunities

   • Combines online courses, mentorship, real-world tasks, and performance-based incentives

   • Tracks skills acquisition and community impact with real-time data

2. Learning-to-Earning Pathways

   • Human services-focused pathways with practical engagement

   • Youth provide community support and referrals, deliver peer education, and contribute to feedback systems

   • Competency-based training in technical, digital, and employability skills

3. Mentorship and Networking

   • Establishes mentorship networks with government, industry, and civil society

   • Provides coaching, guidance, and exposure to professional opportunities

4. Incentives and Support

   • Stipends or performance-based rewards tied to pathway milestones

   • Opportunities for internships, employment, and entrepreneurship

5. Partnership and Co-Design

   • Mapping and engagement of ecosystem partners

   • Co-design of three Y4C pathways with youth, government, and industry stakeholders

   • Pilot, refinement, and sustainability planning for long-term impact

6. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

   • Establish verification and quality assurance mechanisms

   • Track SDG-aligned outcomes and youth engagement

   • Document and disseminate learnings for future scale-up and replication

Implementation Details

• Location: Manzini, Eswatini

• Duration: Pilot and refinement phase within the program timeline

• Indicative Budget: USD 50,000

• Target Beneficiaries: Youth not in education, employment, or training (NEET), with a focus on inclusion and equity

Who Can Participate?

• Youth in Eswatini seeking skills development and employment opportunities

• Ecosystem partners including government agencies, private sector, NGOs, and youth networks

• Participants committed to community engagement and SDG-aligned social impact

Key Benefits

• Structured pathways for earning while learning

• Access to mentorship and digital learning platforms

• Opportunity to contribute to community services and national development

• Verification and recognition of skills through digital credentials and rewards

• Potential for scale-up and replication of successful pathways

How It Works

1. Pathway Design – Co-create sector-specific learning and earning pathways with partners

2. Training Delivery – Provide competency-based technical, digital, and employability training

3. Practical Engagement – Link learning to community-level service tasks

4. Mentorship – Establish coaching networks to guide youth progress

5. Incentivization – Award stipends or rewards for milestone completion

6. Monitoring & Reporting – Track participation, impact, and outcomes using YOMA

7. Evaluation & Scale-Up – Refine pathways for broader implementation

Tips for Applicants and Participants

• Clearly identify pathway milestones and expected outcomes

• Engage with mentors and community stakeholders actively

• Document and verify social and environmental impact

• Leverage YOMA platform for tracking learning and earning

• Align activities with national development priorities and SDGs

Conclusion

The UNICEF Youth-4-Change Learning-to-Earning Pathways Initiative in Eswatini offers youth the opportunity to develop skills, gain practical experience, and transition into meaningful employment, while contributing to community well-being and national development goals. By combining digital tools, mentorship, and real-world impact, the initiative establishes sustainable, inclusive pathways for youth empowerment and socio-economic transformation.