The initiative represents a clear sign of Europe’s commitment to strengthening employment and dignified work for young Mozambicans and the socio-economic stability of the two provinces, stated a communication released today.
The amount, including two million euros funded by Camões – Institute for Cooperation and Language of Portugal and 6.5 million euros by the European Union, is allocated to the “+ Emprego II” project. This four-year initiative aims to enhance access to decent employment in Nampula and Cabo Delgado, in northern Mozambique.
“This ‘+ Emprego II’ is a central instrument of support from Portugal, the European Union, and Mozambican partners towards entrepreneurship, training, and employability of young people in these two provinces,” said Portuguese Ambassador in Maputo, Jorge Monteiro, during the launch ceremony in Nampula.
The Portuguese diplomat emphasized that promoting youth employability is a “decisive factor” for Mozambique’s sustainable and inclusive development, noting the “positive results” achieved in “+ Emprego I.”
In the first phase of the project (2020-2024), which covered only Cabo Delgado with a budget of four million euros, 1,435 people were trained, including 937 youths, 317 trainers and employment technicians, 181 technicians and leaders of partner entities, 304 interns hosted in 39 companies, and 149 young people who received self-employment packages.
“More than 50% of the young people covered developed an activity at the end of the project and managed to improve their income (…). This success was only possible due to a predominant factor, which is the word partnerships,” said Jorge Monteiro, noting that professional training and employability have long been focus areas of Portuguese and EU cooperation in Mozambique.
In “+ Emprego II,” the areas of intervention from the first phase will be further developed, stated the Portuguese ambassador, pointing to the increase in partnerships with the private sector, strengthening the dialogue with small and medium enterprises, as well as with Mozambique’s public employment sector.
“And I insist, the partnership model with Portuguese and Mozambican partners will be maintained and deepened in this new edition of Mais Emprego (…). The experience and profound understanding of the Mozambican reality, and their investment in training and qualifying Mozambican human resources constitutes an invaluable asset for achieving the More Employment Two results,” concluded Jorge Monteiro.
The project arises from the need to provide Mozambican youth with access to investment opportunities, self-employment, especially in emerging areas such as digital transition, transport, and logistics, refer Camões and the European Union.
