Best Future for youngs of Da Costa

Inclusion of vulnerable Afro-Ecuadorian youth and adults through quality training

2019 till 2021

Esmeraldas, Ecuador

Context

Affected by the severe global financial crisis, Ecuador faces many challenges to ensure its economic development and to improve the precarious situation of many of its citizens. The country has a poverty rate of 23% and important social inequalities. Esmeraldas is one of the poorest provinces in the country.

With a population of mostly young adults (60% of the population is under 29 years old), education is a key element in achieving a good balance between vocational training and labour market needs. Indeed, making quality vocational training accessible to vulnerable populations allows them to break the cycle of low education and poverty.

Beneficiaries

Young people (12 to 18 years old), adults (98% of whom are women) in low-skilled jobs, business workers, micro-entrepreneurs belonging to the most vulnerable groups of the population, including a large majority of Afro-descendants.

Objective

The UESMA College intends to strengthen the integration and inclusion of young adults and adults through the improvement of technical and vocational training. Several areas of intervention are developed within the project, including a pilot project to stimulate entrepreneurship, the creation of a school network, the modernisation of workshops, the extension of the computer laboratory, etc.
UESMA trains more than 3,000 young adults every year.

Results

Results achieved since 2017:
– 1,102 students benefit from state-of-the-art practical work thanks to new equipment and teacher training;
– 438 young adults have entrepreneurial skills as a result of the new “Bachillero Productivo” training;
– 15 technical teachers have upgraded their practical skills;
– 2,007 vulnerable adults have developed technical skills to find a job or start an business activity;
– Modernisation of workshop equipment and teaching infrastructure (computers, refurbishment of mechanical workshop, welding workshop, etc.).

Our actions

Whether on a national or international level, we want to offer young people the best possible opportunities for the future. We support projects through concrete action on the ground thanks to our partner organisations

Discover this action

2010 till 2019

Belgium