UNICEF to provide $20m for youth projects

The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) would provide $20 million to Pakistan to implement various programmes under its Generation Unlimited (GenU) plan, focusing on youth education, skills development, and employability prospects, according to a press release issued here on Thursday.

In this regard, the press release said, the government and Unicef signed a letter of intent (LOI) during a high-level meeting attended by key representatives from both sides, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and UNICEF Representative in Pakistan Abdullah Fadil.

GenU is a global partnership working to prepare young people to become productive and engaged citizens. It connects secondary-age education and training to employment and entrepreneurship, empowering every young person to thrive in the world of work.

Functioning as a public-private youth partnership the prime minister, this collaboration between the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme and Unicef would convene stakeholders from the UN, private sector, public entities, and the International financial institutions (IFIs), the press release said.

“This investment marks a significant step towards unlocking the potential of our young population.

Through strategic partnerships and collaborative efforts, we aim to create opportunities for our youth to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s progress,” Shehbaz told the signing ceremony.

The signing ceremony, which was held at the Prime Minister’s House, was also witnessed by Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Chairman Rana Mashood Ahmed Khan, and Unicef officials Larissa Bruun and Mome Saleem, the press release said.

“Through this ground-breaking collaboration, we look forward to bringing together a broad cohort of partners, to create opportunities, empower and pave the way for a brighter future for Pakistan’s youth,” Fadil told the signing ceremony.

The $20 million would be utilised to implement various programmes under the GenU plan, according to the press release. Special emphasis would be placed on empowering marginalised youth, including young women and the Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET) population, the release said.