The Hailemariam & Roman Foundation (HRF) held its annual performance review of the Youth Self- Employment in South Ethiopia (YES) Project with key stakeholders in South Omo and Aari Zones from 21-24 March 2026 in Dimeka and Jinka towns.
During the review, it was highlighted that over the past two years, 31,213 young people including 20,308 women have accessed mindset and business skills training, while 12,288 youth, of whom 9,017 (73 percent) are women, have received demand driven technical skills training and organized into 1,222 enterprises across the two zones.
Stakeholders commended the progress made while emphasizing the need to address remaining gaps, including access to finance, market linkages, and production and working spaces.HRF reaffirmed its commitment to advancing youth- and women-centered development, urging partners to intensify coordinated efforts so that young people can transform their livelihoods and contribute to long- term community development.
Implemented in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, the YES Project aims to expand work opportunities for financially disadvantaged youth—particularly young women—through mindset change, business skills training, and enterprise development.
