Ambassador' remarks at the Opportunities for Youth Employment event in Dodoma

• Distinguished Government officials here present

• SNV project team and staff

• Local service providers

• OYE youth

• Colleagues from the Swiss Embassy

• Representatives from Organizations

• Ladies and Gentlemen, a very good morning to you all!

Habari za Asubuhi!

As we gather here today, we mark the end of a journey filled with dedication, collaboration, and commitment to support opportunities for youth to access employment and skills. The closing of the Opportunities for Youth Employment (OYE 2) project represents not just an end, but also a significant milestone in our collective efforts to shape a brighter future for our young women and men especially the disadvantaged and out of school youth.

Throughout this project, we have witnessed the transformative power of knowledge transfer, skills training, and linkages and exposures of youth to various opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship. We have seen and heard success stories from many participating youth, in both Singida and Morogoro. Notable outcomes are creation of jobs, formation of youth savings and lending associations, formation of Youth Led Enterprises, improved access to markets, improved access to finance, and maybe the most important impact is the change in mind-sets, which happened due to the empowerment that the project offered. Youth became more confident, not only to speak out their issues on various forums and platforms in their localities but also being able, to take actions that positively impact their lives.

Moreover, due to the increased confidence gained through capacity building, we see another interesting outcome of the project, which is an increased interest to advocate. Project reports show that a number of OYE youth, especially women, have taken on leadership positions in lower-level local government and have assumed various leadership positions within their communities. One example is a youth leader in a ward in Mkalama, Singida, who now is a 30 houses leader and who advocated the village government/leaders in the ward to increase transparency by informing people about village government revenues and expenditures before decisions were taken at the village assembly. Which did not happen previously.

All this shows that the 3 years of project implementation have been a journey of growth.

Today, as we reflect on the achievements and challenges encountered along the way, we are reminded of the importance of investing in our youth. They are not just the leaders of tomorrow but active participants in shaping the present. By empowering them with the tools to succeed, we are not only building a more prosperous society but also fostering a more inclusive and resilient future.

As we celebrate the accomplishments of this project, let us also acknowledge the dedication of all those involved – from the visionary leaders who spearheaded this initiative to the passionate project team, service providers, mentors, and partners from both Government and Private Sector who lent their expertise and support. It is through our collective efforts that we have been able to make a meaningful difference in the lives of more than 4000 young individuals.

While this project now has ended, its impact will continue to resonate for years to come. On behalf of the Embassy of Denmark, we believe that the project impact will be maintained and accelerated, since the Prime Minister’s Office for Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disability is taking over to ensure sustainability.
Again, thanks to every one of you for your dedication and support throughout this endeavour.

Let us carry forward the lessons learned, the connections forged, and the spirit of empowerment that has powered our journey thus far.

Asante Sana!