Together we RISE: Empower young people through sustainable enterprises
Together we RISE: Empowering young people through sustainable enterprises
According to a World Bank report in 2018, it is estimated that over 900,000 young men and women enter the labour market every year, while it is estimated that by 2030 the labour force will have more than doubled, reaching around 50 million. Yet unemployment in Tanzania is still a major issue.
Young people from Raleigh Tanzania, in partnership with other youth stakeholders and with the support of local government authorities, are working towards reducing poverty in rural communities of Tanzania through the Rural Inclusive Sustainable Enterprise Through Youth (RISE) project. RISE was introduced purposely to help reduce poverty in rural communities of Tanzania and minimize the level of youth unemployment. This is done by capacitating young people with entrepreneurial skills, sustainable agriculture technical knowledge and access to seed-funding to launch or grow their business or enterprise.
The project promotes access to employment opportunities and resources for specific groups, including young people, women and people with disabilities in rural communities.
Aska, an entrepreneur, took part in the RISE project in Kigugu Village, Mvomero. She said:
“The Raleigh entrepreneurship programme started at the time that I was planning to launch my business, so for me it was a privilege and the perfect opportunity to learn several ways on how I can scale up my business. Prior to the entrepreneurship programme from Raleigh, I was doing business as a daily routine without focus. After the training from Raleigh Tanzania I have become more confident. I now have a broader understanding of how to run my life with an entrepreneurial mindset, using creativity, and holding a position myself as a woman. I have realised that even if I have no initial capital I can start and run my own business.”
Lameck also received entrepreneurship training in Kwadoli village. He said:
“I have received seed funding from Raleigh Tanzania; I have faith that my life is not going to be the same after this. From the training I have received, I have a reason to keep moving forward and sustain my enterprise. I know I will be facing challenges, but I see more opportunities even in hard times; I will stand again and move towards my dream.”
Apart from contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) the RISE project is also contributing to the Tanzania Five Year Development Plan 2016/17 – 2020/21 (FYDP II) whose theme states the ambition for ‘Economic Transformation and Industrialisation for Human Development’. Among the priority areas is championing the fight against poverty through enhancing income security, access to social services, responsive governance and social protection.
The RISE project is implemented by young people from Raleigh who are passionate to bring change in rural communities of Tanzania through volunteering. It is delivered in partnership with Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT), Mkingu Forest Nature Reserve (MFNR) and Care International. So far, Raleigh has supported more than 300 youth in 7 seven villages located in Mvomero District, Morogoro, with 35 businesses having been provided with seed-funding.
Find out more about the RISE Through Youth project on our Raleigh Tanzania social media on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter – #RiseThroughYouth
