In the course of its development, the YES DRC network has selected the following as major operating activities:

• Pilot projects implementation,

• Research activities,

• Policy advocacy activities,

• Trainings and events.

What factors which shape Youth Employment in the DR Congo?

Two sets factors were generated and participants had a deadlock to agree on which factors were most influential.

Set 1:

a)    Skills (under)development

b)    Self employment attitudes

c)    Economic context (unfavourable, slow economic growth, poor planning, etc.)

Set 2:

a)    Urban bias at the policy level

b)    Macro-economic environment

c)    High (crude) birth rate

Out of a deep consultative process, four priority programme areas were adopted which guide programs of YES DRC:

• Business and Social entrepreneurship development Program:

This program is meant to replicate and scale up enterprise formation, growth and promotion of entrepreneurship culture among the Congolese youth. It collaborates with policy, research and advocacy on how to improve business environment to be friendly to start up.

• Youth livelihoods and Education Program:

This program is meant to transform the livelihoods of most economically disadvantaged young women and men, especially those who are aged between 14 and 40, by equipping them with skills relevant to the labour market.

• Policy, Research and Advocacy Program:

This program explores how macro-economic policies and interventions of the DRC Government and donors shape the employment situation. Issues tackled include but not limited to – Allocation of national resources, regulation of key services and taxation.

The research component covers the best policy and program practices and endeavours to adopt them to local realities.

• Communication and Outreach Program:

This program focuses on organizing youth, development of information dissemination infrastructure and cultivating pro work values.