Very often education is not adequately tailored to the needs of the labour market: young people do not find jobs and employers are not able to hire people with the skills they need. The changing economic landscape require young people to become entrepreneurs that are able to take initiative and organise a team to get work done.
As young people become consumers, workers and producers, it is crucial they understand money and markets that increasingly affect them. For example, decisions to spend, save or borrow money influence their ability to access services such as education or health care.
Aflatoun addresses these issues with the low cost, social, financial, and livelihood skills programme: Aflateen. The curriculum includes vocational, business management, entrepreneurial, social and money management skills. This can help young people with income generation, finding jobs or setting up their own business. The programme engages them to undertake activities based on their concern for their future livelihood, their interest in other people and the environment, as well as their desire to develop and lead enterprise activities.
After facilitated sessions looking at themes such as identity and finance, young people develop entrepreneurial skills by incorporating practical activities, including savings clubs, enterprise creation, and community activities. Since Aflateen is based on peer support, it effectively develops leadership skills that are vital in career or business development. As a result, empowered youth contribute to reducing poverty, promote sustainable livelihoods and increase both individual and community wellbeing.
