BM Desk: The US and Bangladesh join hands to launch the new five-year, $35 million USAID Bijoyee Project to provide youth with skills-building opportunities to help them advance their careers and modernise the country’s workforce.
United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director Reed Aeschliman, CARE Bangladesh Country Director Ramesh Singh, and others joined the honourable Director General of the Department of Youth Development Dr Gazi Md Saifuzzaman to unveil the project, according to a press release issued on Saturday.
The Bijoyee project is implemented by CARE Bangladesh with partners from youth-led and youth-serving organisations, and the private sector to equip up to 250,000 young Bangladeshis ages 18-35 with marketable job skills that better meet the needs of employers or become entrepreneurs in a fast-paced business environment.
Guided by the Department of Youth Development, the Bijoyee project will partner with local youth organisations, including Bangladesh Youth Leadership Centre, JAAGO Foundation Trust, UCEP, Dhrubotara Youth Development Foundation, The Earth, Access Bangladesh Foundation, Bandhu Social Welfare Society, Safety and Rights Society, and TAHZINGDONG to improve their ability to provide market-relevant skills training to help youth secure jobs or start their own small businesses.
In his remarks of Chief Guest, the Director General of the Department of Youth, Dr Gazi Md Saifuzzaman said, “USAID Bijoyee project will work to make a brighter future for the youth of the country. So, we are responsible for making it a success. The Department of Youth will do its part and be at the side of this initiative.”
“We all know that many talented young people face barriers like limited access to quality education, skills training, and job opportunities. Together, under this new Bijoyee initiative, USAID, the Government of Bangladesh, youth organisations and private companies can support each other and support the youth of Bangladesh to build brighter futures for themselves,” said USAID Mission Director Reed Aeschliman.
Ramesh Singh, the Country Director of CARE Bangladesh, stated in his remarks that CARE Bangladesh adheres to the principles of Positive Youth Development, acknowledging young people as essential partners in developmental endeavours. He mentioned that through alignment with government initiatives, CARE contributes significantly to the realization of the Smart Bangladesh Vision 2041.
The USAID Bijoyee Project aims to achieve significant milestones, including the training of 250,000 youth in soft skills – with a focus on women and youth from marginalized communities –, enabling career progression and income growth for 150,000 individuals, and supporting 6,000 youth entrepreneurs in starting or expanding their businesses. Additionally, the project will engage 300 grassroots youth-led organisations in conducting campaigns and facilitate 500 youth entrepreneurs and youth-led organisations in driving civic engagement, social entrepreneurship, and climate entrepreneurship initiatives. Furthermore, the project aims to mobilise 30,000 youth to participate in civic engagement activities.
