Vision : To increase employment opportunities for young men and women especially in rural communities focusing on green jobs, and facilitating better education and learning system to enable them to create sustainable livelihoods in Zimbabwe.

Background : Emerging from a decade long economic recession and a period of extended political issues, YES Zimbabwe’s efforts aim to bring about a structured transformation for young people through working with partners and network members to support the education system as the platform for sustainable youth development.

About the Network : The YES network Zimbabwe was launched in 2001, and has been incubated and supported by the Organization of Rural Associations for Progress (ORAP) a leading NGO in Zimbabwe. The Network had representatives at every YES Campaign event and Summit globally from Alexandria (2002), India (2003), Mexico (2004), Kenya (2006) and Egypt (2007&2009) and Azerbaijan (2008). YES Zimbabwe’s efforts have affected over 40,000 young people in the country and its programs have assisted to address the youth employment challenge within the scope of the YES Framework for Action launched at the Alexandria Summit.

Current Major Initiatives :

• Initiated an admissions and placement - scholarship based program that assists rural youth who graduate from high school and getting placements and excellent employment opportunities at tertiary institutions in Zimbabwe and abroad.
• Promoting an Education working Group that brings together players from the government, civil society and business to better coordinate efforts in improving education, especially in rural communities. Education is the key foundation for employment and entrepreneurship. In two rural provinces, the working group is promoting the adoption of vocational and skills training in rural schools.
• Initiated the Rural School Fellowship Program, an initiative that brings together rural students from schools in different districts for academic assistance and leadership development training. Successful impact of this program has seen it adopted by other NGO, rural councils and the National Ministry of Education.
• Working with the Center for Micro-Enterprise Development and skills training program for out of school youth developing their competencies in garment making, metal fabrication and enterprise skills.

Key Accomplishments :

• Enrolled major partners like the Ministry of Education, SNV Zimbabwe, CRS Zimbabwe, UNICEF, Plan International, and World Vision.
• Has become the leading convener for educational development in the Western Region of Zimbabwe.
• Has established a scholarship fund currently supporting over 100 students primarily in universities and colleges in Zimbabwe.