Standard Chartered and Plan International UK have renewed their partnership for three more years to tackle youth unemployment in Asia. The collaboration aims to support over 6,000 young women and people with disabilities in the region by providing them with skills, networks, and confidence needed for meaningful employment.
The programme will be implemented by Plan International in several countries including Indonesia, the Philippines, Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. It is funded by the Standard Chartered Foundation under its global initiative Futuremakers by Standard Chartered. This initiative seeks to address inequality through economic inclusion for disadvantaged young people.
The partnership will also engage employers and policymakers to create work environments that offer equal opportunities. According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), there are currently 79 million unemployed young people globally, with a significant portion being women. In South-East Asia alone, around 19 million young individuals are not engaged in employment, education or training (NEET).
Natasha Kwakwa from Standard Chartered emphasized the importance of equal opportunities for economic growth and gender equality: “Fostering equal opportunities for young people is essential to economic growth and gender equality. Improving opportunities for young people who face disproportionate barriers to employment is fundamental to this extended Futuremakers programme across ASEAN."
Rose Caldwell of Plan International UK highlighted the challenges faced by many due to existing barriers: “Too many young women and people with disabilities across Asia are held back from decent work opportunities, not because of a lack of talent, but because of barriers they cannot overcome alone."
In Vietnam, project implementation awaits local government approval.