Independent NGO

The NGO Young Africa (YA) works integrally with underprivileged youngsters between 15 and 25 years. In Mozambique, the legal owner of the Young Africa Skills Training Centres is the local association Young Africa Mocambique. It is an independent non-governmental organisation and registered with the “Conservatório dos Registos da Beira”, under number 60/31/Q-UM. The Young Africa Centro de Formação in Beira, is set up on a plot of land of 2 hectare, donated by the municipality. The founders and executive directors are now setting up the Agricultural Skills Training Centre in Dondo, 30 km from Beira. The 200 hectare of land for this Centre was given by the municipality as well.

From dependence to self-reliance

Students can pursue eight programmes that are offered simultaneously. All courses have been designed to equip young people with skills and knowledge that will enable them and their communities to live their lives with dignity. Young Africa uses participatory development methodologies and actively involves local franchises and private-sector entrepreneurs in running the training programmes. It also creates the infrastructure necessary to enable the local community to eventually take over the project. This type of project management has proven it can achieve sustainability and self-reliance within five years.

Building local capacity

In first instance, the Young Africa executive directors always take care of the day- to- day management of the project. From day one however, they also build local staff capacity. Once the project is well established and financially viable, they hand over the management to the local community. Proper guidance and monitoring remain available.
Once the project is set up and running, it has the potential to become financially viable within five years, provided the economic climate is conducive. Income is generated by the rental fees (workshop space and use of machines) and the nominal commitment fee paid by the students.