Challenge Fund for Youth Employment

The Challenge Fund for Youth Employment (CFYE) is a 7-year flagship initiative by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and managed by Palladium, Randstad, and VSO.

Youth unemployment is a significant challenge in Africa with approximately 30% of young people up to age 35 unable to find work. The situation is particularly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, where the number rises to nearly 40%, leading to increased poverty, social unrest, and limited opportunities for economic growth.

The CFYE is working to create a prosperous future for 230,000 young women and men in the Middle East, North Africa, Sahel & West Africa, and Horn of Africa.

To help reach that goal, the private sector, civil society, and knowledge institutions are now invited to submit proposals for initiatives to address specific challenges framed around creating scalable solutions for more and better jobs for youth. Solutions should be built around integrated approaches designed to bridge the mismatch between the demand for high-quality jobs and the supply of skilled labor. In addition, they must be aligned with the aspirations of young women and men in the regions.