Young people in Africa face numerous problems. However, unemployment seems to be the most challenging and tends to hit the youth the hardest. After finishing school with a weak orientation or without any, young people have difficulties in finding a job, especially a job in their field. In addition, the most difficult is to find the first job, since the majority of employers are looking for experienced workers. Limited job opportunities together with the gap between the education system in the African countries and labour market demands as well as the development of the international markets further complicate youth position and competitiveness. As a result, young people usually find low-paid and/or unreported employment, in a local café or store, for example. The money they earn is barely enough to be called pocket money. In such conditions, one cannot even think of establishing an independent life. Therefore, in search of a brighter future, youngsters increasingly decide to leave their native home and seek happiness in the countries of Europe taking a huge risk “Crossing the Mediterranean sea”
In Africa Shapers we are working every day, to build innovative and creative programs aiming to Oriente, empower youth and help them to find their way in their own countries as well as increasing the employability of young people and their competitiveness in the labor market.
