Context

Youth employment is a major issue for every country, and societies around the world. The prospective solutions involve going the way of economic growth and development of human potential. The reality of unemployment is alarming. In the absence of solid employment alternatives, thousands of working populations are at risk of becoming a social ticking time bomb, as noted so appropriately by Juan Somavia (former ILO Director-General): “The world is confronted with a serious social justice problem [because] far too often, the incredible potential of young people around the world is wasted due to extreme poverty, discrimination or the lack of skills and information. Skills development is the best way for young people to make a harmonious transition into the labor market, and education and training can contribute to pulling them out of poverty and giving them access to employment.”

It is in view of this fact that African heads of states and governments placed youth employment at the center of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. However, the issue of employment does not only call on the capabilities of governments, but also of civil society in order to devise strategies, employment policies, and clear and reliable action plans. All actors are thus invited to come together to create operational measures and implement systems to promote decent and inclusive employment. In Togo, our decentralization perspective encourages us to reflect on the way we can confront new challenges linked to employment, social cohesion, and sustainable development of local authorities. Indeed, at the time of regional reorganization, matters regarding job seekers, social and professional integration and inclusion of low-skilled youth, disabled people, recent graduates, and exclusion of low-skilled workers from the labor market must be addressed at the regional level, and specific strategies adopted in order to see these problems resolved. 

The Association

In article 53 (regarding communes) of the Law of 13 March 2007 concerning decentralization and local freedoms, the transfer of a wide variety of areas of authority in different sectors, including education and professional training, social action, recreational activities, and the economy (trade and craft industries) took place. In order to guide local communities with these issues, a group involving a variety of Togolese stakeholders stemming from the sustainable development, training, integration, and support sectors came together under the umbrella of a single association governed by the Law of 1 July 1901 and the Decree of 16 August 1901. The Association’s mission is to put forward innovative solutions adapted to partner communities and their people by focusing on the enhancement of local resources and local support of the most vulnerable people.

Objectives

• To support the emergence of young people and women as contributors toward the momentum of regional autonomy from the perspective of sustainable social change at the community level;
• To work for social cohesion through social, civic, and professional inclusion and integration among the most disadvantaged people using decent, long-term, and inclusive employment, social and cultural entrepreneurship, the Social and Solidarity Economy, and education and training;
• To contribute to the revitalization of regions through the design, implementation, and coordination of innovative projects that promote the local economy, youth, and regions.

Intervention areas

• Education
• Social affairs
• Cultural affairs
• Agriculture 
• Environment 
• Social and Solidarity Economy
• Sustainable and local development through: 

1. support
2. training/apprenticeship
3. capacity building
4. methodological support
5. engineering/planning
6. project engineering
7. expertise/consulting