In 2020, the Youth Agenda, in collaboration with the State Department for Youth and the National Youth Council, launched the Top 35 Under 35 program as a vital component of a comprehensive Youth Empowerment Program. The overarching objective of this initiative is to shift the perception of youth from being seen as a demographic challenge to a demographic dividend. Annually, this program identifies, acknowledges, and bestows awards upon outstanding young individuals whose creative and innovative initiatives make a tangible impact towards the realization of Sustainable Development Goals, Vision 2030, and other development roadmaps across diverse sectors.
1. This program not only serves as a platform for young people to showcase their initiatives but also provides them with access to resources that will facilitate the growth and scaling of their projects.
2. Additionally, it extends opportunities for mentorship, coaching, and incubation to ensure that youth from all backgrounds are granted an equal opportunity for success.
Youth Employment Conference is a Youth Agenda initiative that seeks to bring the country to have discussions and a platform to find solutions to youth unemployment in Kenya. This conference will be an annual activity planned on Youth Agenda’s annual calendar. The conference will bring together leaders of industry in the private sector and youth to find solutions in adjusting, readjusting or adapting to the challenges brought to youth empowerment by Covid-19. It is also an opportunity to identify, highlight, equip and support youth in business with skills and capacity across the country. It also aims at inspiring more youth to create employment opportunities for themselves and fellow youth. It will help in
sharpening the skills that youth need for formal and informal employment with a focus on digital economy, agriculture, industrialization and enterprise and creative economy.
Elevate is an initiative designed to enhance the employability of Kenyan youth aged 18 to 24. This endeavor aims to equip them with the essential skills, knowledge, and experience required to secure meaningful job prospects. More specifically, the program endeavors to:
1.Promote and facilitate access to high-quality internship, volunteer, and apprenticeship opportunities that provide practical workplace exposure and experience.
2.Strengthen career guidance and counseling services within higher education institutions to assist young individuals in identifying their career objectives and connecting them with suitable employment prospects.
3.Offer comprehensive cover letter and resume review services to job seekers, improving their job search effectiveness by presenting their credentials in a compelling and professional manner.
#The Ignite Kenya Youth Market is a two-year program that seeks to compliment and support the government realise its plan of providing market opportunities to youth owned SMEs. The program envisions increased access to markets and Increased monthly Income for Youth owned SMEs and Strengthened public private partnership in providing market for Youth owned SMEs.
Project Achievement
- Tackled the challenge of youth unemployment through market support.
- Empowered more than 100 young new entrepreneurs.
- Stimulated economic growth through youth involvement in businesses.
Over the years, YAA has engaged the County and the National government towards development of affirmative action and policies that will deliberate tackle the challenge of youth’s economic empowerment.
On the other, YAA has developed awareness and skills amongst the youths on tapping of opportunities such as the AGPO and County youth funds.
This has lead to youths venturing into businesses with the counties and creating economic indepedence.
