Decent work means jobs that are productive, respect labour rights, generate a fair income and treat everyone equally. Decent jobs allow employees to do their work in safe, healthy conditions and guarantee freedom of voice.
We promote decent employment and self-employment opportunities for young people by improving the skills and capabilities of workers and strengthening labour markets and providing business development services. We work with people to strengthen their employability and business skills.
Using a multi-level approach, we design and implement interventions across different levels including: individual, household, community, system and policy. We also support labour markets to create decent employment and self-employment opportunities for young people. By looking at ways to influencing change at all levels, we can target both the labour market and supply and demand.
Increasing young people’s access to decent job opportunities is key in increasing incomes and strengthening the economic wellbeing of marginalised individuals, households and communities.
We promote social protection for young people and informal workers as part of our decent work agenda.
Our work in creating decent jobs
Supporting poor farming households to make a sustainable living
Improving Market Access for the Poor (IMA4P) identifies high-impact value chains, transforming agricultural markets to make them work better for the world's poorest farmers.
From a passion for food to a successful business
After receiving specialist skills training as part of the T-LED project, Celina Kisha Chibanda has overcome many challenges to develop a successful food processing business.
“I want my daughter to grow up to be a businesswoman like myself.”
A VSO-ICS training programme in business skills helped Rumana Khatun establish a thriving bag-making business and transform her family’s lives.
Empowering Tanzanian girls and young mothers
Supporting marginalised young people in Tanzania - especially girls and young mothers - to develop the skills and confidence they need to secure reliable livelihoods.
Breaking down bottlenecks to growth in Tanzania
With one of the world’s youngest populations, Tanzania’s economic growth is being driven by young entrepreneurs.
Other areas where we work
Youth empowerment
We believe if young people are supported to earn income and access resources, they can sustain their own livelihoods and actively seek out new economic opportunities.
Women’s empowerment, control over incomes and right to food
Promoting women’s right to adequate food, women's control over their incomes and developing climate resilient agriculture.
Green jobs
Green jobs are jobs that: reduce consumption of energy and raw materials, limit greenhouse gas emissions, minimise waste and pollution and protect and restore ecosystems.
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