Youth Alliance for Rural Development in Liberia (YARD-Liberia) in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), has successfully completed Phase II of the Youth Rising Project Awareness Campaign. This initiative was made possible through the European Union’s support to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) for young people in Liberia.

Following the signing of an agreement on October 17, 2023, YARD-Liberia launched a year-long series of awareness engagements across Harbel and adjacent towns and communities in Margibi County. The project aimed to promote TVET as a viable pathway for youth empowerment, employment, and sustainable livelihoods.

Key Achievements of Phase II

Throughout the implementation, YARD-Liberia delivered a series of impactful activities that directly engaged communities, schools, and young people:

• Stakeholder Engagement Meetings: Conducted across three target communities to sensitize local leaders, parents, and institutions about the opportunities TVET offers to young people.
• Project Launch Parade: A vibrant parade was held to publicly introduce the project, creating visibility and sparking enthusiasm for TVET among community members.
• Establishment of TVET Gender Clubs: Gender-focused TVET clubs were set up within schools, promoting inclusivity and ensuring that girls are equally encouraged to pursue vocational training.
• Youth Mobilization Meetings: Interactive sessions were organized to directly engage young people, inspiring them to consider TVET as a credible and dignified career path.
• Radio Talk Shows: Broadcasted on two community radio stations, reaching thousands of listeners with discussions on the benefits of TVET, addressing misconceptions, and sharing success stories.

Impact and Way Forward

The project successfully reached hundreds of youth and community stakeholders, sparking renewed interest in vocational and technical skills training. More importantly, it laid the groundwork for sustained dialogue on how TVET can address youth unemployment and contribute to national development.

By completing Phase II, YARD-Liberia and UNIDO have strengthened local ownership and inspired community-driven efforts to ensure that young Liberians especially girls and marginalized youth see TVET as a key to unlocking opportunities for self-reliance and growth.

YARD-Liberia remains committed to advancing youth empowerment initiatives in partnership with national and international stakeholders. With continued collaboration, the seeds planted during this phase will grow into a generation of skilled and empowered young Liberians, ready to shape their communities and country.