Strengthening capacities for reconstruction in Darfur (completed)
Project description
Title: Strengthening capacities for the reconstruction in Darfur
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Country: Sudan
Lead executing agency: Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning
Overall term: 2015 to 2019
Context
For a long time, Darfur has been subjected to a multifaceted conflict over land, resources and power. Since it first began in 2003, the conflict has left 3.3 million people in the region dependent on humanitarian aid. This includes almost two million internally displaced people, most of whom are living in a long-term state of economic uncertainty.
The situation is particularly difficult in the cities of El Fasher and El Geneina, the capitals of North and West Darfur respectively, where the conflict has triggered significant rural to urban migration. Access to the labour market is difficult for local people and newcomers alike, who lack vocational qualifications and are therefore often unable to feed themselves and their families.
The conflict-related instability and the consequent lack of investment have weakened the local economy. With little access to finance and a shortage of skilled workers, local businesses cannot contribute to the region’s reconstruction. At the same time, there are few opportunities for young people to complete training. This has led to large-scale unemployment and a general absence of hope.
Objective
Workshop owners, employees and apprentices in selected micro, small and medium-sized enterprises have completed demand-oriented training.
Approach
Through this project, GIZ is promoting market-oriented vocational training and sustainable forms of income generation, in order to improve the future prospects of young women and men in Darfur. The project works with training providers and small businesses in El Fasher and El Geneina, enabling them to offer vocational training tailored to the demands of the labour market. In cooperation with the private sector and the national vocational training authorities, it is improving the knowledge and skills of teachers and master craftspeople.
With its local partners, the project has designed an alternative vocational training path for people forced to drop out of school. This means they can obtain the necessary skills to find sustainable employment in the local market. At the same time, the project also supports the providers of business development services, strengthening the private sector in a way that contributes to job creation. The service providers include local small-scale industries and trade associations, as well as bank branches and microcredit institutions.
To ensure the qualifications gained by the trainees comply with the national vocational training standards and that they are officially certified, the project is developing the training measures in close coordination with the Supreme Council for Vocational Training and Apprenticeship, and with the relevant labour offices in the states of West and North Darfur.
At least 1,000 people are expected to complete their training by 2019. Of these, some 40% should be women. Meanwhile, the project is also providing technical and management support to 40 small business in order to encourage new employment opportunities in the relevant sectors.