On 21 July 2026, CUSO International presented a one-year pilot project to Cameroon’s Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education (MINJEC) aimed at empowering vulnerable and women through market-oriented skills training and job placements, positioning employment as a key driver of social youth inclusion and better health outcomes.
Youth unemployment and economic insecurity remain among the factors that increase vulnerability in Cameroon, affecting not only livelihoods but also mental well-being, social inclusion and long-term development. Against this backdrop, CUSO International has unveiled a one-year pilot initiative designed to improve the socioeconomic integration of vulnerable youth and women through skills training and direct engagement with the private sector.
The project was presented on 21 July during a meeting between CUSO International’s Country Representative, Ginette Sindeu, and the Minister of Youth Affairs and Civic Education, Mounouna Foutsou, at the ministry’s headquarters in Yaoundé.Bridging the gap between training and employmentUnlike conventional vocational programs, the initiative seeks to align training with labor market demands by involving private companies in the design of training curricula.
The approach is expected to ensure that graduates acquire practical skills that employers are actively seeking, thereby improving their chances of securing decent work.Training courses will last no longer than three months and will be delivered through the country’s Multipurpose Youth Promotion Centers (CMPJs).
Participants will then be placed in companies to gain practical experience and facilitate their transition into employment.The pilot phase will focus on trades with strong employment potential, including metal welding, mechanics, electrical installation, hairdressing and child care.
The program will initially be implemented in Yaoundé, Douala and Bertoua, cities selected for their concentration of potential beneficiaries, economic opportunities and ease of program monitoring.Employment as a determinant of health and well-beingAlthough centered on vocational training, the initiative also addresses broader social determinants that influence health.
Limited employment opportunities often expose vulnerable young people to poverty, social exclusion and psychological distress, while reducing their ability to access education, healthcare and other essential services.By promoting economic independence, the program has the potential to strengthen self-reliance, improve mental well-being and reduce vulnerabilities that disproportionately affect unemployed youth and women.
The inclusion of child care among the training options also reflects growing recognition of the care economy as a source of employment while responding to community needs.Ensuring sustainable inclusionDiscussions between the ministry and CUSO International also focused on beneficiary selection, training content and post-training support. Minister Mounouna Foutsou noted that the CMPJs already possess the required curricula but stressed that continuous follow-up and additional financing would be critical to help beneficiaries establish themselves immediately after completing their training.
CUSO International welcomed the collaborative approach adopted during the discussions and acknowledged the experience of the CMPJs in supporting youth integration.
As the pilot program gets underway, its long-term impact will be measured not only by the number of young people trained, but by its ability to translate skills into sustainable employment, social inclusion and improved well-being for some of Cameroon’s most vulnerable populations.
