Project Overview

Designed to respond to Garissan youth’s needs and assets, the Garissa Youth Project (G-Youth Project) aims to empower youth to make sound career and life decisions as they transition from high-school to the next phase of their lives. The project builds the capacity of local institutions and networks to sustain the much-needed services that G-Youth provides. Specifically, the G-Youth Project offers youth a series of inter-connected interventions to: build skills, facilitate appropriate career choices, provide employment and/or income generating information, bridge technical and university education opportunities and provide fun and safe spaces. The G-Youth Project is implemented by Education Development Center (EDC) in partnership with local Garissa-based NGOs, higher education institutions, private sector companies and members of civil society.

Objectives
G-Youth aims to constructively engage Garissan youth in career and livelihood development and civic participation activities by:

• Establishment of a G-Youth Career Resources Center which will provide the project's target youth population with structured career development information, skills, and opportunities to get jobs, start their own business, or transition into higher education.
• Strengthening and expanding programs at the North East Province Technical Training Institute (NEP TTI), a major technical/vocational training center in Garissa that is currently underutilized.
• Provision of sub-grants to partner NGOs working to strengthen the livelihood and employment sklls of Garissan youth.
• Engage and enable the youth of Garissa to become active participants in the design and implementation of programs and services that impact their lives through the Youth Action component.

Activities

Career Resource Center
G-Youth is establishing a Career Resource Center (expected May 2010) that provides the project's target youth population with structured career development information, skills, and opportunities to get jobs, start their own businesses or transition into higher education.

Vocational Training
G-Youth strengthens and expands programs at the North East Province Technical Training Institute (NEP TTI), a major technical/vocational training center in Garissa that is currently underutilized.

Provision of Small Grants
G-Youth strengthens local capacity by providing small grants to a number of Garissan NGOs currently working to strengthen the livelihood and employment skills of Garissan youth.

Youth Action
The Youth Action component engages youth leaders to solve problems unique to them. The goal of this activity is to create mechanisms that enable the youth of Garissa to become active participants in the design and implementation of programs and services that impact their lives and futures. 

Partners

Implementing Organization
Education Development Center, Inc.

Primary Partners
Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology-Kenya
Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports-Kenya

Technical Partners
Kenya National Library Services
North East Province Technical Training Institute

Project Documents

Project Overview Handout

Youth Stories

Fatuma's Youth-Run Salon: Garissan youth and G-Youth participant starts a salon through USAID support to help unemployed youth