SKILLS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

Project Framework for the next Phase

In the recent past, general research hypothesis as well as concrete and practical experiences gained by development and education practitioners has identified various constrains and barriers to youth entrepreneurship.  Typical challenges are lack of an enterprise culture in many states in South Sudan, unfavourable legal, policy and regulatory frameworks for youth entrepreneurship, the lack of entrepreneurship education across formal and non-formal education systems, the lack of access to affordable financing in the form of start-up, investment or working capital, and, little knowledge about and access to relevant business development services and support systems for youth already in business or for those or interested in pursuing an entrepreneurial career.

What are the policy implications?

For youth entrepreneurship policies to be effective it should be approached within the context of wider employment policies and programmes and an integrated approach with interventions across multiple sectors and at multiple levels must be taken into consideration. Interventions should therefore target the specific challenges that youth face with regards to:

1. The promotion of entrepreneurship culture – social and cultural attitudes along with family values and norms have a strong influence on whether a young person decides to pursue an entrepreneurial career. Whereas society’s norms influence an individual’s approach to life they similarly influence entrepreneurial activity.  Entrepreneurship culture campaigns, the promotion of young successful entrepreneurs as role models, business idea competitions, awards, youth business events and entrepreneurship education are important strategies for creating a culture of entrepreneurship.
2. Introduce entrepreneurship education at different education levels – presenting students to the world of business and transferring knowledge and entrepreneurial skills through formal and informal education is crucial to create responsible young entrepreneurs, including social entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship education is not only a means to create young entrepreneurs but also to equip young people with entrepreneurial attitude and skills which will benefit them in other areas of life, their communities and society as a whole.
3. Improvement of legal and regulatory environment – with emphasis on the specific barriers and burdens faced by young entrepreneurs – and especially young women entrepreneurs is especially important. Often the administrative and regulatory burdens – such as business registration, the time it takes to register, the cost, the number of steps/procedures, minimum capital requirements, property rights, etc. – have a disproportionately negative impact on youth-owned businesses, which are more likely to remain informal as a result. Business environment reforms are necessary to unleash the entrepreneurial efforts of current and emerging young business women and men.
4. Access to affordable finance – is often perceived as one of the biggest impediments for younger people who, compared to older age groups, have no or less savings and collateral in debt-financing, lack of business experience etc. easing the collateral and legal requirements on young entrepreneurs is important and improving access to various types of finance micro, equity, venture and credit programme schemes – in some states backed by the government – are important factors in improving the access to finance for young entrepreneurs.
5. Relevant business services and support schemes – for youth already in business or for those interested in pursuing an entrepreneurial career is important. Through the pre-start-up, start-up and growth phases of a business venture, there is a need for specific training in entrepreneurial and business management skills. Potential young entrepreneurs often lack business connections, have little or no knowledge about where to access business support services and often not adequate workspace and business infrastructure. Addressing these constraints through e.g. “one stop” corner, youth enterprise centre, business associates and entrepreneurship and start-up training is essential.

To have a lasting impact the promotion of youth entrepreneurship, should be approached comprehensively; emphasizing sectors with job creation potential and integrating the three components of sustainable enterprises – social, economic and skills training. Human progress and sustainable economic development depend on new ideas and the ability of young and future entrepreneurs to implement these ideas. The only means to bring about sustainable development is through investments in the creativity, innovation and problem-solving skills of the youth.

Integrated Project Framework for Next Phase

Theme: Functional Adult Literacy

Theme: Vocational Training

Theme: Economic Empowerment (Livelihoods)

Conclusions and recommendations

By and large, this project ‘Skills Development Project’ appeared to have achieved 70% of its stated objectives and is most likely to meet its intended outcomes. There is however areas where progress has not been made, for example, the coherent and consistent monitoring of the outcomes of the project as opposed to outputs.  The comprehensive conclusions and recommendation are elaborated in the proceeding paragraphs.

Recommendations

1. EED should continue providing financial support for the continuity of the project; and look beyond the lifespan of current project phase.
2. EED should make an effort to develop CDSS’ own compound for residence; office space and as a training centre.
3. EED need to increase budget line for programmes so as to support trainers as well as purchase training materials.
4. The four months carpentry training duration should be increased to at least nine months so that trainees can master both the content and practical aspect of the training.