International Development Grant
YouLead: Youth Leadership Entrepreneurship Access and Development Project
Project Number: CA-3-A035025001
Status: Closed
Country/Region:
Maximum Contribution: $14,876,161.00
Start Date: February 17, 2014
End Date: September 30, 2019
Duration: 5.6 years
Project Description
The project aims to increase sustainable economic growth and prosperity for women men and children in Cross River State by increasing job opportunities and entrepreneurial capacities of youth. The state is home to more than one million youth out of a population of 3.4 million and has a youth unemployment rate of 45%. The project seeks to strengthen the capacity of government policy makers civil society organizations working with youth and formal and informal technical vocational training institutions to work together in a coordinated manner to increase employment self-employment and secure livelihoods based on natural resources. The project works in all 18 local government areas of the state to produce the conditions needed to develop an economy based on efficient management of forests agriculture and fisheries. Project activities include training 12 000 young people in entrepreneurship and creating 5 000 youth-owned micro and small enterprises. Project partners include the Nigerian Environmental Study/Action Team.
Expected Results
The expected intermediate outcomes for this project include: (i) increased equitable participation of young women and men in entrepreneurship and associated economic activities in targeted natural resources sectors in Cross River State; and (ii) strengthened implementation of sustainable natural resources management responding to the different needs of women and men in all local government areas state institutions and civil society organizations.
Progress & Results Achieved
Results achieved as of the end of the project (September 2019) include: (1) over 3 043 youth-owned businesses were created (of which 1 406 were women-led) and over 660 existing youth-owned businesses (of which 306 were women-led) were strengthened and expanded in 12 different value chains across Cross River State; (2) 1 632 part-time and full-time jobs were created for youth with the majority of participating youth reporting increased incomes; (3) 10 416 youth (of which 50% were women) were trained not only in the skills required to start and maintain a successful business but on how to develop a business that is environmentally responsible and gender responsive; (4) Cross River State’s first Gender Policy and the Green Economy/Green Jobs framework which aims to support Cross River’s 30-year Growth and Development Strategy were developed; (5) 986 staff of State and local governments and civil society organizations were trained to develop environmentally responsible and gender responsive natural resource management policies and practices; (6) Youth Resource Centres were established in 9 localities across the State to provide career counselling ICT training and social and peer-to-peer support to 10 000 youth; and (7) the work experience and technical capabilities of 220 National Youth Corps Volunteers were enhanced through their participation in project implementation. These youth were integral to the implementation of key activities in all 18 local government areas of the state.
Key Information
Executing Agency:
Cuso International
Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada
Program:
WGM Africa
Last Modified:
September 19, 2025
Development Classifications
DAC Sector:
Aid Type: Other technical assistance
Collaboration: Bilateral
Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation
Selection Mechanism:
Pre-APP