Country: Senegal
Sector: Employment, Skills Development
Background:
A regional foundation working on youth development wanted to understand barriers to employment among out-of-school youth, especially in coastal towns affected by declining fishing incomes. The study aimed to identify training gaps and alternative livelihood options.
Approach:
We surveyed 600 youth aged 18–30 and conducted FGDs with jobseekers, employers, and vocational trainers.
We used a skills mapping matrix to assess formal and informal competencies and conducted value chain assessments for key local industries.
Findings:
Only 21% of youth had completed secondary education, and 64% lacked any formal training. Fishing declines had displaced many traditional livelihoods, yet tourism, agro-processing, and crafts were underexploited. Women faced double exclusion due to childcare burdens and mobility constraints.
Impact:
The study led to the development of tailored vocational programs in agro-tourism and small-scale manufacturing. It also influenced donor funding for coastal youth entrepreneurship and informed a local youth policy review process.
