The project seeks to strengthen the role of civil society in promoting youth participation in governance, economic inclusion, and leadership with a strong emphasis on opportunities within the green and digital economy.
OAY is currently implementing Sheria Ya Vijana! Project, a 3-year youth empowerment initiative in Kenya, implemented in collaboration with six partner organizations led by Barnfonden (BF), and WeWorld Kenya Foundation (WWKF), action for Sustainability Initiative (AFOSI), Organisation of African Youth (OAY) and Stretchers Youth Organisation (SYO), Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC; and co-funded by the European Union.
The project seeks to strengthen the role of civil society in promoting youth participation in governance, economic inclusion, and leadership with a strong emphasis on opportunities within the green and digital economy in Nairobi County and Kwale Counties.
The unfavorable investment and business environment coupled with policy and programmatic limitation restrict the growth, market access, and credit acquisition opportunities for youth led initiatives. Youth often lack the skills needed to capitalize on emerging digital and green opportunities, a concern emphasized at the Kenyan Green Economy Workshop 2024. Practical, long term, and tailored education, employment, and training (EET) opportunities for young people and social enterprises in the digital and green economy are lacking, as is collaboration among youth workers and organizations. Young entrepreneurs face an unfriendly business environment and lack mentorship for sustainability. However, the green economy and digital technologies offer solutions to employment, with the MSME sector employing 15 million people