"Jobs for Peace"

In Nepal, almost 1 in every 2 persons is unemployed. The youths comprise about 25 percent of the total population. The political upheaval in the recent years has led many of these youths either to contribute in the brain drain or to be a puppet of the political parties in their dirty politics. A project was launched by UN in order to deviate youths from politics to economy.



Here is the news in detail from nepalnews.com



The United Nations in Nepal this week launched ‘Jobs for Peace’ project, through which the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) will help 12,500 young people of Parsa and Rautahat districts to find jobs.

A statement by the UN office said, “This project will strengthen the peace process by providing productive opportunities for conflict affected youth.” Financed through a USD 2.6 million grant from the UN Peace Fund for Nepal (UNPFN), the project supports Nepal’s key priority of creating short term peace dividends.


Some 50 percent of the Nepali youths, who constitute around 26 percent of total population, are underemployed. “Creating employment opportunities can help to reduce tensions in communities as well as meet their expectations for economic and social improvements,” the statement reads.


The project will therefore support young men and women to find jobs and also to become self employed by training them to run their own agricultural activity, small enterprise, or service. The project will teach them what they need to know to be competitive and respond to market demands. Participating young people will also be helped to start new enterprises through microfinance loans. In addition, the project will work with about 30 cooperatives to strengthen their links with the private sector and markets.


Robert Piper, chief of UN system in Nepal said, “Too many of Nepal’s young people find themselves passive bystanders while Nepal’s historic transition takes place. At minimum, Nepal’s economy needs to urgently create tens of thousands more opportunities for youth to unleash their productive potential.”


The project will run for two years and be managed by a 7 person team based in Parsa district and will work closely with relevant government line agencies, youth organizations, district chamber of commerce and local NGOs.