"Para Información en Español, clic aquí."
The International Youth Foundation (IYF) and the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) of the Inter-American Development Bank have joined forces to prepare workers for the jobs of the new economy in Latin America and the Caribbean. Together we created a US$29 million program, entra 21, to co-finance youth employment projects in information technology (IT). This four-year collaboration aims to:
- Support local projects that train young people and assist them in securing jobs that require IT skills
- Create partnerships among nonprofit organizations, governments, and businesses to meet the IT training and employment needs of the region
- Identify, document, and disseminate best practices in training, job placement, and collaboration among participating organizations
The employment needs of young people in Latin America and the Caribbean
More than half the population of Latin America and the Caribbean is under the age of 24, with youth unemployment rates on the rise in most of the countries of the region. Existing educational systems are failing to equip youth with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in a fast-changing marketplace. At the same time that more and more youth are unprepared for the workforce, businesses have an urgent need for workers equipped with the technical skills to contribute to the region’s growing information-based economy. Demand for IT skills is expected to rise sharply in the region as more organizations migrate toward the Internet and automate their businesses with application software.
Young people possess the creativity and adaptability to thrive in the IT area; yet more programs are needed to equip youth with the knowledge and skills to take advantage of growing opportunities. Greater investment in such programs will help narrow the growing gap between the supply of and demand for skilled workers, while helping to bridge the digital divide between developed and developing countries.
About the Supported Projects
Download information about our 35 projects throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
About The Multilateral Investment Fund
The Multilateral Investment Fund is a special fund, administered by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), whose mission is to strengthen the private sector in Latin America and the Caribbean. In partnership with governments, business organizations, and NGOs, the MIF provides a mix of technical assistance grants and investments to promote the growth of micro and small enterprise, support market reforms, and build the capabilities and skill standards of the workforce. Over the past seven years, the MIF has supported some 430 projects, with a total investment of US$700 million.
The new phase of the Program
In July 2007, the MIF approved a four-year US$10 million grant for a new phase of the program. Connecting Disadvantaged
Youth to Quality Employment will target 50,000 youth and grants will fall under two categories: projects that apply
principles of the entra 21 model on a much larger scale or projects that create innovative ways to train and prepare youth
that are the most difficult to employ. This phase will incorporate impact evaluations into a rigorous learning component.
Success Stories
To read how entra 21 positively impacted the life of 21-year-old Ruth Dary Ortiz in Cartagena, Colombia click here
To read how entra 21 positively impacted the life of 22-year-old Romina Collman in Quillmes, Argentina click here
For More Information
View an informative video from the IDB about the entra 21 program (in Spanish; 3 minutes, 31 seconds; WMV format).
Download the entra 21 brochure.
Download the entra 21 factsheet.
Read about the entra 21 program at a glance.
Read The World Bank's "Youth Developement Notes" featuring entra21
Studies
To learn more about IYF's Youth Employment initiatives click here
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