ZZF and JA Launch Social Equity Program Year 2 in Seven Countries
May 1, 2024
The Social Equity Program (SEP), a joint initiative between JA Worldwide, JA Africa, and Z Zurich Foundation (ZZF), tackles the challenges of youth not in education, employment, or training (NEET), while addressing the issues of social equity, mental health, and sustainable development.
At the core of the program is entrepreneurship training, designed to empower young individuals to start businesses, employ others, and be equipped with the skills they need for the work world, whether they are starting a job search or creating their own job opportunities. The program is crafted to equip participants with the essential knowledge needed to launch and sustain social enterprises and aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for social equality and economic growth.
Over three years, the hands-on program in nine African countries will reach more than 163,000 youth directly through more than 500,000 learning experiences, transforming 97,800 youth lives and positively impacting 65,200 more, with another 391,200 indirect beneficiaries who are positively impacted. Program participants will be generally split 50-50 male-female, with some specific all-female cohorts aimed at impacting women and girls most effectively. Program success will be defined by impact on students, lives that have been transformed (both direct and indirect), and program content and structure.
In 2023, SEP trained over 10,000 young people, who created more than 500 social equity projects that positively impacted communities in Uganda, South Africa, and Côte d’Ivoire. The first year of the program culminated in the inaugural AfrInnovate Youth Challenge (AYC), showcasing the progress achieved throughout the year. At this culminating event, three teams—Red Heart from Côte d'Ivoire, Transcendence from South Africa, and Bed Mot from Uganda—presented their innovative ideas in health, technology, and environmental sustainability to a panel of judges from Zurich and other esteemed organizations. The winning team, Bed Mot from Uganda, impressed the judges with its environmentally sustainable bricks made from plastic waste, securing $5,000 in seed funding to support expansion of the business.
The impact of the program’s first year is significant, with employment outcomes for participants as follows:
391 individuals have secured full-time employment
2,369 have obtained part-time employment
1,724 have become self-employed
6,372 are actively seeking employment
5,333 are not currently seeking employment.
In 2024, SEP returns for Year 2, deepening our impact on youth in Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa, and Uganda and expanding to Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Tanzania, and Togo. Each kick-off features an immersive four-day boot camp followed by a three-month mentorship for participants.
Deepening Social Impact in Existing JA Countries
Côte d’Ivoire: The second year of the SEP in Côte d'Ivoire, led by JA Côte d'Ivoire, aims to impact 6,000 beneficiaries this year in Abidjan, Bassam, and Yamoussoukro. In the inaugural year, 3,000 Ivorian youth gained skills in entrepreneurship, leadership, mental well-being, and employability, fostering projects with significant social impact.
Young people at the SEP Year 2 launch in Côte d’Ivoire.
South Africa: In its second year in South Africa, JA Africa and JA South Africa will facilitate SEP for 10,000 South Africans ages 16–35. Fostering job creation and equipping them with essential skills. Through four-day boot camps and three months of mentorship, participants will gain invaluable tools to lead positive change within their communities.
The SEP Year 2 launch event in Uganda.
Uganda: SEP in Uganda aims to reach 20,000 out-of-school youth ages 16–25 during its second year. In a special session, Zurich Volunteers Brian O'Neil and Florian Rohkamm mentored beneficiaries from the 2023 program, guiding them on topics like financial management, business plan development, marketing, sales, and statutory compliance.
Extending Impact into Expansion Countries
The ZZF partnership not only deepens the impact of JA’s work in existing locations but also enables JA’s expansion into new countries.
The SEP launch in Burkina Faso.
Burkina Faso: In collaboration with JA Africa, GEFED association, CFPEM-ESIM, and AJLD, SEP aims to reach over 1,000 Burkinabe youth. Participants will benefit from comprehensive entrepreneurship, leadership, and employability skills training and create lasting social impact in their communities.
DRC: Over the course of the next year, 3,000 Congolese youth will receive comprehensive training designed to enhance their entrepreneurial abilities, financial literacy, and work readiness skills. SEP will equip the next generation with the tools they need to succeed in today's dynamic world.
The SEP launch in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Tanzania: JA Africa and E3empower Africa are working together to bring SEP to Tanzania, marking a crucial step forward in youth empowerment in the country. SEP will benefit 5,000 individuals ages 16–35, with a focus on fostering job creation and imparting essential skills.
Togo: Through JA Africa and YMCA Togo, SEP will reach 1,000 participants aged 16–35 in Togo. The program will help cultivate job creation and participants will acquire invaluable tools to drive positive change in their communities. The launch ceremony, held in Lomé, included esteemed representatives from local authorities, including Fonds d'Appui Aux Initiatives Economiques des Jeunes (FAEIJ), Nunya Lab, and the Ministère du Développement à la Base, de l’Artisanat, de la Jeunesse et de l’Emploi des Jeunes.
Focusing on Mental Wellbeing
SEP integrates UNICEF mental wellbeing content to improve program outcomes. To determine which UNICEF content to use, in 2023, JA Africa piloted UNICEF mental-health tools and content under the University of Pretoria’s ethics-approved pilot study, and then assessed the results. The social emotional skills (SES) content selected and adapted was a result of those pilots and assessments.
Most participants (96%) appreciated the program's effectiveness in various mental health and well-being aspects. 65% of respondents attested to the program's significant role in enhancing their mental wellbeing as individuals and in academic pursuits and professional endeavors. This insight from the year-end survey is noteworthy because it reflects the program's potential in skill development and in raising awareness about the importance of mental health in achieving overall life success.
To further promote mental wellbeing among Africa’s youth and educators, JA Africa organized two impactful webinars. The first, "Your Mental Well-being: Your Wealth #LetsTalk," featured Dr. Rita Sonko moderating and UNICEF’s Dr. Joanna Lai delivering a keynote speech. Panelists, including mental health specialists and JA alumni, shared personal experiences, fostering insightful discussions.
The second webinar targeted educators, showcasing real-life case studies and empowering them to address mental health challenges effectively, thus enhancing student well-being.
Launching JA Career Connect
In November 2023, JA Africa, in collaboration with ZZF and Google, unveiled JA Career Connect, a cloud-based platform connecting young African talent with global employment opportunities. Accenture in Johannesburg, South Africa, hosted the event, which aligned with JA-ZZF's commitment to nurture youth for a bright, boundless future.