Youth unemployment is an increasing concern in developing countries, including Tanzania. Many governments and international organizations are encouraging self-employment through micro- and small-enterprise development as a solution. Because many young people do not have the skills or interest to start businesses, high quality skills training programs are needed.
TechnoServe’s Strengthening Rural Youth through Enterprise Development (STRYDE 2.0) program uses a unique and intensive soft-skills approach to training. The intervention trains youth on basic life and career skills and later links them with employers or supports them in developing microenterprises.
This evaluation will determine the impact of the STRYDE 2.0 program on several economic and social outcomes using a randomized controlled trial. The program’s large scale allows for a robust evaluation sample. Baseline activities were completed in early 2017 and the program was successfully implemented that year. We are seeking funding to top-up the endline sample to improve power.