IOYPE

Funded by: European Union, DANIDA (Danish International Development Agency)
In partnership with: DCA (Dan Church Aid), ADP (Arid Land Development Program)
Duration: January 2023 - December 2025

Context:
Karamoja faces a poverty rate of 66%, significantly higher than the national average of 20.3%. The youth population suffers from high levels of poverty and illiteracy, a lack of employability skills, and limited access to opportunities. This situation contributes to idleness, crime, violence, mental health issues, and substance abuse, exacerbating insecurity in the region. This action aligns with Uganda's National Development Plan III, aiming to "increase average household incomes and improve the quality of life of Ugandans," and is consistent with the National Youth Action Plan focused on "unlocking the potential of young people for sustainable wealth creation and development." It also supports trade, technical, professional education, and the Presidential Initiative on Wealth and Job Creation.

Project Aim:
This initiative, developed by DanChurchAid (DCA), Cooperation and Development (C&D), and Arid Land Development Program (ADP), seeks to empower 2,430 young people by enhancing their opportunities for participation in political and decision-making processes, promoting sustainable income generation, and providing life skills training across nine districts in the Karamoja sub-region (Moroto, Napak, Nakapiripirit, Amudat, Nabilatuk, Abim, Kaabong, Kotido, and Karenga). Cooperation and Development will focus on the first five districts.

General Objective:

To contribute to the economic inclusion and empowerment of disadvantaged youth in the districts of Karenga, Kaabong, Napak, Nakapiripirit, and Moroto.

Specific Objective:

To increase opportunities for youth employment and participation in governance and decision-making by engaging 2,430 youth (1,350 in vocational courses and 1,080 in advocacy courses).