Future Economies Start with Youth

How do you make sure business growth actually leads to decent jobs for young people? In this episode of  Future Economies Start with Youth , the CFYE team takes us behind the scenes of its Results‑Based Payments (RBP) model. Joost Verwilghen, Juliana Beltran and Evi Michael unpack how linking funding to verified results has shaped partnerships, encouraged accountability and adaptability, and helpe...

In this episode, Kevin is joined by Ola Farrag, CFYE Country Lead in Egypt; Safa Omrani, Operations and Communications Manager at New Silk Roads; and Marlou Rijk, former CFYE Technical Assistance and Learning Manager and now with MDF. Together, they unpack the gender gap in digital employment across the MENA region. The conversation dives into how targeted initiatives can help close this divide -...

Africa’s green transition has the potential to tackle climate change while creating millions of jobs for young people. In this episode, INCLUDE Knowledge Platform, CFYE's Implementing Partner, ThriveAgric, and NABC unpack key insights from the CFYE-INCLUDE three-year research partnership, exploring how green and digital transitions can drive inclusive, youth-led employment across the continent...

In today’s rapidly evolving job market, education alone is no longer enough. A 2022 UNICEF report revealed that nearly 75% of young people aged 15-24 in 92 countries lack the critical skills needed for modern employment. So, how do we bridge this growing gap? In this episode of 'Future Economies Start with Youth' - The Podcast, our host Kevin Eustatia, sits down with Paul Njuguna, CFYE&#39...

In this episode, our host Kevin Eustatia Palm is joined by Sinead Magill, Co-CEO of the Palladium Group, and Dirk-Jan Koch, Director & Secretary of the Advisory Council of International Affairs of the Netherlands (AIV). Together, they explore the roles of development organizations and donor countries in fragile contexts, discussing the risks and opportunities in overcoming conflict and challen...

In today’s episode of the Future Economies Start with Youth podcast, Kevin invites CFYE Country Leads, Ola Farrag, Lina Al Khawaja, and Andrew Magunda to discuss how localisation is reshaping international development and empowering communities to drive their own progress. We will hear about the importance of putting local voices and youth at the forefront, not only for creating relevant, impactfu...

With 80 million African youths trapped in extreme poverty and a significant disparity between job seekers (10 to 12 million) and available opportunities (only 3 million), unemployment pressures are overwhelming. Various challenges exacerbate this situation, including skills gaps, gender disparities, and a heavy reliance on the informal economy, where work is often insecure and vulnerable. Faced wi...

In this episode, host Kevin Eustatia and guests Niek van Dijk, Andy Bownds, and Anouk Verheijen explore the world of social impact and financial sustainability through the lens of investment readiness. Together, they uncover the challenges and opportunities faced by social businesses in attracting investment to amplify their impact. From navigating grant funding to leveraging innovative financial...

In this episode, our host Kevin Eustatia Palm facilitated an insightful discussion on the potential of the plastic waste recycling sector to create green jobs for youth. Drawing upon the insights of the collaborative research conducted by The Include Knowledge platform and CFYE, the speakers Camee van Knippenberg, Brian Sagala and Rikke van der Veen explored the topic, respectively, from a youth,...

In episode 12, "Equity Through Entrepreneurship" of Future Economies Start with Youth – The Podcast, host Kevin Eustatia takes a deep dive into entrepreneurship and how it can pave the way for equitable access to decent work. Featuring insights from CFYE Country Leads for Morocco Farah Fawzi and Senegal, Aminata Diouf, the discussion uncovers the complexities of gender disparities within...

In this episode, titled “The Power of Social Businesses”, our guest speakers Abdissa Tegene, CFYE Country Lead for Ethiopia, Irene Sleven, co-director of VSO Netherlands, and Feven Tsehaye, founder and CEO of Tchakka Origins, engaged in an insightful discussion on the value of social enterprises. Join them as they unravel the inner workings of businesses with a strong social focus, how they operat...

Political and economic uncertainty, conflict and insecurity have negative impacts on entire populations. However, these affect vulnerable groups – such as youth and women – in a disproportionate manner. In fragile contexts, their already precarious social and economic situation gets exacerbated by sudden shocks in the labour market, leaving them with fewer and poorer job opportunities. In this epi...

In the 9th episode of Future Economies Start with Youth, we will explore the opportunities and limitations of green policies in the business sphere. Business support is absolutely essential to achieving a net-zero future, but how can we effectively translate environmental policies into our business settings? To answer this question, three experts who offer key insights into the theory and practica...

While many organizations strive to establish youth-focused policies, they often overlook a critical tool to enhance meaningful youth participation. By establishing a Young Employee Network (YEN), companies can create a supportive environment for employees to openly share their concerns with their peers, network, and build a community, based on shared experiences and interests. In this episode, we...

Despite progress made in recent years, gender barriers still hinder young women from fully engaging in the workforce. Addressing these barriers is a crucial component of achieving gender equality, but true equality extends beyond simply creating job opportunities for women. We must also cultivate gender-inclusive conditions that empower women to pursue their aspirations and advance into leadership...

In this episode, our host Kevin and a group of experts will be discussing the topic of Green Jobs. The three experts joining us will shed light on what green jobs truly mean in various sectors and country contexts. They will also discuss the necessary skill sets for excelling in these jobs, the practical framework for measuring green jobs, and how to adequately prepare young people for green jobs....

Digital work is rising globally. Technological developments introduce new trends and opportunities in the labour market while making certain jobs obsolete. The shifts technology initiates lay the foundation for a new future of work – a digital future. In this episode, we dive deep into the concept of digital transition and jobtech and explore its impact on making work accessible and inclusive. The...

A Blended Approach to Volunteering Blended Volunteering is indispensable for ensuring innovative and culturally resonant projects. In this episode, we explore why this approach is so successful in creating decent and sustainable employment for youth.

“This is the time to leave no one behind because we can’t simply afford it anymore. We need all the talent on the labour market.”  What is decent work? What do young people value in employment? What role does a living income play in making a job decent? In this episode, decent work experts and youth underline what decent and meaningful work means and, more importantly, what the risks are of n...

Engaging youth is indispensable for creating meaningful jobs for young people; it also adds significant business value, creating a competitive advantage for businesses. In this episode, we uncover how youth participation makes a win-win scenario for young people and private entities and how we can authentically engage with youth to avoid tokenism.

Youth unemployment is growing in Africa. Every year, around 12 million young people enter the labour market, while only 3 million jobs are created. The magnitude of the problem means new innovative approaches become necessary to tackle this issue. This episode outlines how the employment market looks in Kenya and Nigeria, what opportunities the economies create, and how youth’s potential can be a...