UNDP Yemen: Equipping young Yemenis with skills for peace and development

In 2014, the United Nations General Assembly declared 15 July as World Youth Skills Day to recognize the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship in promoting equitable and inclusive sustainable development.

The theme for World Youth Skills Day 2024, "Youth Skills for Peace and Development," underscores the crucial role young people play in peacebuilding and advancing development solutions. 

Peace and sustainable development are inextricably linked; in a peaceful society, businesses can thrive, jobs are created, and access to services is enhanced, leading to improved livelihoods. Development solutions, in turn, foster resilient economies, strong governance systems, and better infrastructure, decisively reducing poverty and inequality.

In Yemen, young people under the age of 30 make up around 30% of the population. They face many complex challenges resulting from the ongoing and prolonged crisis, including high unemployment, limited access to basic services, and food insecurity. Without equipping young people with the necessary skills to navigate these issues, the prospect of a peaceful and resilient Yemen will remain elusive.

Empowering young people with skills to promote economic growth through cultural and creative industries

Coffee cupping 

In Yemen, the potential for the coffee value chain is vast, however, so is the gap in quality control capacities. 

Coffee cupping is an essential method of quality control used by coffee professionals in the industry. It helps them evaluate the characteristics of coffee beans and blends and enables experts to find coffee that suits buyers’ needs and requirements. For years, Yemen had only one internationally certified coffee cupper, which challenged its opportunity to expand to international markets. 

UNDP’s Strengthening Institutional and Economics Resilience (SIERY) Project, generously funded by the European Union, supports the coffee value chain in myriad ways, including the construction of a coffee market and enhancing the capacities of coffee farmers, as well as supporting young Yemenis to enhance their coffee cupping skills.

Meet Muneef, one of 45 participants at one of the coffee cupping training courses supported by the SIERY Project. 

"Through the coffee cupping training, my skills and knowledge in the coffee sector have significantly grown," explains 27-year-old Muneef. He detailed how these training sessions equipped him with not only technical expertise but also a deeper understanding of the complexities of coffee cultivation, processing, and tasting. 

"Following the training, I started working as an assistant coffee cupping trainer," Muneef added. Driven by his deep-rooted passion for coffee, Muneef now works with certified trainers to empower other young Yemenis with coffee cupping skills. 

Muneef’s dedication to advancing his knowledge in coffee cupping exemplifies a broader effort to safeguard Yemeni heritage. As one of the oldest coffee-producing regions globally, coffee holds a special place in Yemen's cultural heritage, deeply intertwined with its history and traditions. For centuries, coffee has not only been a source of livelihood for Yemeni farmers but also a symbol of hospitality, social gatherings, and cultural identity. The art of coffee preparation, from traditional roasting methods to the intricate rituals of brewing and serving, reflects Yemeni craftsmanship and a commitment to preserving cultural practices passed down through generations. 

As a result of these trainings, eight participants have successfully qualified to attend an international coffee cupping certification in Jordan, while access to new markets and clients has been unlocked with a staggering 13 per cent increase as reported through independent monitoring.

Henna production 

Yemen’s strong cultural ties to henna (used in weddings and other celebrations) provides a stable domestic market, while the growing global interest in natural and cultural products offers Yemeni henna opportunities for export. By developing the henna value chain, sustainable income streams are generated, especially for women in rural areas, and this intangible cultural heritage is promoted. 

In line with the development priorities of Ghail Bawazir local authorities, the SIERY Project supported henna production trainings for 14 young women to upskill them with the skills and knowledge to produce and market henna products in addition to financial and business management capacities.

“Through the financial and technical trainings, I learned how to calculate the costs of sale," shares Latifa, one of the young women participants in the training, emphasizing how these skills have allowed her to plan and manage her business expenses. 

"The marketing skills I learned at the training have also enabled me to reach a larger audience and achieve higher profits," Latifa continues, illustrating how her ability to draw out marketing strategies opened new avenues for customer engagement and revenue generation. 

Beyond these tangible advantages, the training empowered Latifa and her business partners, whom she met at the training, to navigate the competitive market with a clear vision and robust business acumen. Together, they make hair and skin care products using henna and sell them from home. 

Equipping young people with the skills to drive economic growth through cultural and creative industries is not just a necessity—it's a strategic imperative for sustainable development. By equipping youth with the knowledge and tools to harness their creativity, their potential to innovate, create jobs, and revitalize economies is unlocked. Investing in their education and training not only fuels economic diversification but also preserves cultural heritage and fosters social cohesion. 

The coffee cupping and henna trainings were carried out by the SIERY Project with local partner SMEPS, the Small and Micro Enterprise Promotion Service. 

Young Yemenis at the forefront of resolving community conflicts

Recognizing young Yemenis’ roles as leaders in tackling the complex crises facing them is crucial when fostering peaceful societies. Through the UN Peace Support Facility’s Small Grant Mechanism, six Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are upskilling young Yemenis’ capacities in conflict resolution and mediation to ensure their full and meaningful participation in local and national peace processes. Central to the CSOs’ work is building trust among youth and key security institutions and raising awareness on reintegrating community returnees. By equipping young people with essential skills for community engagement and peacebuilding, these organizations are laying the groundwork for a more stable and peaceful Yemen.

Similarly, Thekrayat, a participant at one of the trainings through the Marib Dam Foundation, emphasizes the positive impact of the programme: "I gained knowledge and skills in negotiations, mediation, peacebuilding, and transitional justice. I feel empowered to make informed decisions and analyze conflicts effectively.”

Ammar, another participant from the same training, highlights: "We gained skills in conducting peacebuilding advocacy campaigns and how to use social media as a tool to bridge differences and promote a culture of peace."

The commitment to upskilling young Yemenis is more than an educational endeavor; it is imperative to a peaceful Yemen. As these young leaders engage more deeply in local peace processes and advocacy, they contribute to a broader societal shift towards stability and peace. Their participation ensures that peace efforts are inclusive and reflective of their needs. 

These activities were made possible thanks to generous support from the European Union, Germany, and Norway.