The Next Economy Program is geared towards supporting young people from all walks of life in creating sustainable income generating activities through job creation sand entrepreneurship activities. The program was rolled out in 2017 in partnership with SOS Children’s Villages Kenya, 1% ClubNetherlands, SOS Netherlands and Nailab.

This program is anchored on SDG’s goal 8 that seeks to contribute to creation and growth of decent work and economic development through encouragement of entrepreneurship and enhancement of employability skills in a bid to reduce poverty and achieving full productive employment and work opportunities for women and men by 2030. The program focuses on 2 main pillars: basic life skills training and transfer of useful employability skills to increase young people’s chances of getting employment. It also supports early stage startups and entrepreneurs through one on one support, coaching and crowdfunding.

Over 400 applicants applied to be considered for entrepreneurship and employability skills training in the first batch held in Nairobi. After successful completion of both core life skills training and employability training a total of 82 youth graduated in the first graduation under the program.The second batch has been rolled out in Kisumu with over 700 applicants.