Unemployment disproportionately affects youth. As a result, many young people turn to self-employment. Youth entrepreneurship can provide young people with a sustainable livelihood.

Raleigh International is a UK-based sustainable development charity working to create strong, sustainable youth enterprises in rural communities around the world, as part of the UK government-funded International Citizen Service programme. The programme is led by Voluntary Service Overseas in partnership with development organisations. It uses peer mentoring to bring together young people from the UK and developing countries each year to develop and implement business ideas.

In 2015, ODI reviewed two Raleigh International pilot projects in Nicaragua and Tanzania. This paper presents the review findings and recommendations, and draws lessons for others contributing to tackling youth unemployment in developing countries.

Claudia Pompa; Tiina Pasanen