Strengthening youth participation in economic and social development The underemployment and unemployment of youth in the African countries is currently one of the most challenging global development issues. In Kenya youth between the ages of 15-29 are the largest adult population group. The unemployment challenges of Kenya
n youth eare conceived as a complex function of lack of employability limited employment creation weak entrepreneurship culture and unequal opportunities. Unemployment is especially high among youth and employed youth often work in low paid precarious jobs
.The Kenyan youth also have challenges in being able to affect decisions made in their societies. Especially this is felt by young women. Lack of ability to participate relates to ineffectiveness of structures that should enable youth participation and cul
ture of gerontocracy. Person?s ability to influence also relates closely to personal wealth. Especially poor youth are lacking opportunities for participation.This project seeks to address the youth abilities to become active participant of the economic an
d social spheres in their communities. Is seeks to improve youths possibilities for decent employment through entrepreneurship or employment and improve their possibilities to define the agendas and participate in the development of their communities. In a
ddition the project secures the sustainability of its results and continuity of the project activities buy building new structures and strengthening existing structures.The project is being implemented in two counties in western Kenya namely Busia and Tran
s Nzoia counties: in six vocational training institutions and among youth groups.In specific the project will.1. Improve 1000 youth?s possibilities for productive employment and entrepreneurship through:- training in professional skills life skills ICT and
 entrepreneurship and financial literacy- assisting them in starting sustainable entrepreneurial activities- providing them with ICT tools that will help them to improve their entrepreneurial activities and employability2. Enhance youths? possibilities for
 participation in their communities through:- enhancing networking and advocacy work- supporting youths? small social initiative for the benefit of their communities3. Improve local training institutions capacities to support youth participation in social 
and economic development through:- training of trainers- workplace support and mentoring? capacity building for the vocational training institutions