Project Summary

Project Overview

Under the EARN Project, 900,000 NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) young men and women, of whom 60% will be young women, will be supported to participate in economic and social activities and contribute to Bangladesh's economic transformation and growth.

• Sponsor: Ministry of Youth and Sports

• Implementing Agency: Department of Youth Development

The project is being implemented by the Department of Youth Development under the Ministry of Youth and Sports, with grant support from the Government of Bangladesh and loan assistance from the World Bank. The project will provide youth with skills development training in employment-oriented, suitable, and environmentally sustainable sectors, create long-term employment opportunities, and provide training and microfinance support to help them become entrepreneurs. Through these initiatives, the project will promote the economic and social inclusion of a large number of young people, particularly young women, in Bangladesh.

These young men and women who are not engaged in education, employment, or training are the target beneficiaries of the EARN Project. There will be six categories of beneficiaries under the project:

1. Approximately 500,000 NEET youth at the village level, including 300,000 young women, will receive skills development training along with Socio-Emotional Behavior (SEB) and Enterprise Development Training (EDT).

2. 200,000 NEET youth with SSC/HSC or higher qualifications, who are currently receiving or have previously received technical or vocational training from any institution, including 120,000 young women, will receive SEB and EDT training.

3. 100,000 NEET youth who have dropped out at the secondary level, including 60,000 young women, will be supported to re-enter existing education programs under the Bangladesh Open University.

4. 50,000 NEET youth from registered youth clubs in the 250 project upazilas, including 30,000 young women, will receive leadership training.

5. 25,000 NEET youth, including 15,000 young women, will receive online training.

6. 25,000 youth from disadvantaged and marginalized groups, including third-gender individuals, persons with disabilities, disadvantaged communities living in hard-to-reach areas, and people from areas with special needs, will receive financial assistance through approved projects funded by the Innovation Fund to improve their socio-economic conditions.