Young people represent an undeniable asset for the sustainable development of their countries. However, they have very difficult access to employment, and unemployment particularly affects young women, who occupy the most precarious statuses (vulnerable jobs and indecent work), further fostering inequalities and a risk of social breakdown.

Governments are increasingly trying to find solutions to ensure a better match between training and the labour market and thus reduce poverty and social exclusion. But the various regions are struggling to develop their economic potential, and education often remains ill-suited to needs.

Helping young people develop the skills they need to achieve a stable professional and social situation is a fundamental challenge if we are to break the vicious cycle of poverty and help build a more egalitarian society. Through socio-professional integration, Louvain Coopération aims to enable these young men and women to acquire their autonomy, but beyond that, a status, a place within society.

A pathway tailored to each young person

There are countless determining factors involved: technical skills are important, but relational (socio-emotional) skills play a fundamental role. These factors are highly dependent on family background, gender, social class, geographical, ethnic or religious origins, or disability. In each of our areas of intervention, together with our partners, we therefore carry out an in-depth analysis of this context (including the economic and business climate) in order to adapt the support we give young people to help them integrate into society and the workplace, and ensure that their skills are used and directed towards the path that best suits them.

Young people are the central players in their integration process and our aim is to do everything we can to enhance their personal skills, encourage them to believe in their potential and launch themselves into the professional world, so that ultimately they bring about real change within their societies.

To find out more about our projects linked to the professional integration of young people: https://www.louvaincooperation.org/fr/un-metier-pour-un-avenir-digne