YES Leader: Mr. Abdou Harouna
Email : goudanaou@yahoo.fr

Vision : Youth empowerment through increased participation in the decision making process for issues like employment and governance that impact their lives.

Background : According to the population survey made by the government in 2001, there are 1.998.225 unemployed youth aged from 15-24 in 13.000.000 inhabitants. Programs have been implemented by the government of Niger to promote youth employment like accelerated development and poverty reduction strategy, the National youth policy, the National decade document for youth entrepreneurship, and graduate youth integration program

About the Network : Hosted by Jeunesse Environnement Démocratie Dévelopement, the Niger Network has good partnership with th e ministry of youth and sports and others organizations and is currently exploring others opportunities with the European Union, which is exploring a program of green employment in Niger.

Current Major Initiatives:

• Read Goat: This project aims at reducing young women’s poverty in 6 rural villages of Maradi in Niger by distributing goats and training the women in the care of the animals.
• Campaign to sensitize people about youth employment during the National social forum.
• Three training programs on youth entrepreneurship that will enhance the capacity of 70 youth in terms of helping them create strategies for their own enterprises. Developing a cyber café to develop internet skills of youth.
• Lobbying for youth policies during 2009 and 10, working with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and UNICEF. YES Niger will be mobilizing partners to participate in these activities that will result in more resources and the promotion of youth employment in the country. YES Niger will continue to provide information about new opportunities available to youth in terms of employment and to involve youth at all levels in this
  process.
• Promote self employment through distribution of micro-credit opportunities for young people of Niamey.

Key Accomplishments :

• Participated in the launch of the National document on youth entrepreneurship. Information has been provided to the public, organizations and our partners on the existence of the new national document to make changes in the sector of youth employment.
• Involved in the review of the National youth policy that will bring about massive reforms for youth.