Project Information
Windows of Hope — Sustainable Jobs for Youth
The Windows of Hope Program, funded by the Mastercard Foundation and implemented by EDA, empowers 5,500 disadvantaged youth (ages 15–35) in Addis Ababa, targeting 80% young women, 5% persons with disabilities, and 5% returnees. Through 20 Youth-Led Organizations (YLOs), the program creates sustainable employment in the leather and garment sectors, providing technical support, capacity building, access to finance, market linkages, and workspaces. The initiative promotes both self-employment and wage employment, fostering equitable economic empowerment and resilience, and contributing to the Mastercard Foundation’s vision of 10 million youth with inclusive work opportunities in Africa by 2030.
Planned achievements for 2025–2027 include training 20 youth-led organizations in management, safeguarding, and technical skills; training 5,500 youth in entrepreneurship, employability, and life skills with on-the-job training for 5,000 youth; organizing 1,250 youth into 312 groups with start-up support and workspace access; facilitating wage jobs for 3,750 youth in the leather and garment sectors; and establishing market partnerships with buyers and market actors for sustainable income.
The program is expected to reach a total of 5,500 youth (1,100 males, 4,400 females), create self-employment for 1,250 youth and wage employment for 3,750 youth, and provide dedicated support for 550 persons with disabilities and 550 returnees. Twenty youth-led organizations will be strengthened through the program’s inclusive, gender-responsive model.
Key Activities & Deliverables
Target Demographics & Total Reach
- Total Youth Served: Designed to empower 5,500 disadvantaged youth (ages 15–35) in Addis Ababa, comprising 4,400 young women (80%) and 1,100 young men.
- Inclusive Focus: Provides dedicated, tailored support for 550 persons with disabilities (5%) and 550 returnees (5%).
Employment & Group Creation
- Wage Employment: Facilitating formal wage jobs for 3,750 youth within the growing leather and garment sectors.
- Self-Employment: Organizing 1,250 youth into 312 collaborative groups, backed by essential start-up financial support and workspace access.
- Market Integration: Establishing strategic market partnerships with buyers and industry actors to secure stable, sustainable income streams for the youth.
Capacity Building & Institutional Strengthening
- Individual Workforce Training: Delivering comprehensive entrepreneurship, employability, and life skills training to all 5,500 youth, alongside hands-on, on-the-job training for 5,000 participants.
- Organizational Support: Strengthening 20 Youth-Led Organizations (YLOs) through specialized training in management, safeguarding protocols, and advanced technical skills.