Such initiatives need to be intensified and replicated in the context of PSSA. In particular, PSSA should explore avenues to collaborate with TAHA to advance the advocate efforts, specifically focusing on youth-led enterprises. The high-level consultative platform spearheaded by TAHA is an ideal “springboard” for PSSA to contribute to the ongoing efforts to advocate for challenges affecting youth-led enterprise operations in the horticulture industry. The joint efforts between PSSA and TAHA should focus on include the following: Lobby to formulate policies that are in favor of youth enterprises, which will also support private sector growth. Establish convenient youth-friendly policy dialogue platforms (e.g., social media) to communicate with youth and youth-led enterprises. Such platforms will serve as cost-effective mechanisms for policy dialogue, particularly when there is a need to identify areas that need support in policy reforms. The same could be used to promote youth engagement in the policy formulation process. Engage youth enterprises in advocacy by building their capacity through training on developing proposed reforms and conducting effective advocacy. Champion the establishment of policies that are missing through advocacy work. Develop customized training materials and best practices for effective advocacy and policy dialogue.
Support relevant government MDAs to enhance their technical capability to formulate evidence-based policies (and the accompanying enforcement mechanisms) focusing on youth enterprises development and facilitate review and implementation of policies that directly support youth in the economy. Support should also focus on developing policy instruments that directly benefit the youth and invest in those with the potential to support youth in the private sector. Support government ministries and agencies to develop policies that address the “supply-demand mismatch.” Several studies and analyses of the demand and supply of services and policies to support youth engagement in the private sector show a mismatch between current policies and services and what youth want, given the current environment and their specific needs. The reasons could be that the policies have not considered the fast-changing dynamics such as increased urbanization, the rise of the middle class, and implications to the consumption patterns. Development projects such as PSSA must be cognizant of this in their programming. Support government MDAs in developing a creative and innovative policy-making process that is more engaging at a low cost, takes a short time to finish, and results in flexible policies to accommodate frequent changes. Support government MDAs in developing M&E frameworks for respective policies together with comprehensive guidelines and tools. Build the capacity of government MDAs to analyze emerging policy issues to inform evidence-based decision-making. Build capacity for youth engagement in policy advocacy activities. Support government MDAs to develop appropriate laws and regulations for enforcing the implementation of policies. Facilitate and support LGAs with requisite institutional capacities to enforce the implementation of relevant policies at the local level. LGAs are key government institutions as they are very close to policy beneficiaries. Their capacity should be strengthened to ensure the policies are translated and implemented correctly on the ground. Capacity- building efforts should also monitor the implementation of youth enterprises’ related policies. Support LGAs to understand and adopt policies and practices that assist startups, such as streamlining registration processes and providing targeted incentives for startup growth.
3.5. CAPACITY BUILDING INTERVENTIONS
PSSAs capacity-building interventions should target the following areas:
Engage youth groups continuously to bring them up to speed on frequent policy changes occurring in the country and their implication for their operations. Communication channels, including public-private dialogue platforms, and social media, should be opened between youth and local government bodies to increase youth engagement in local policy-making. This will increase the pace of policy reforms for policies that support youth enterprise growth. Youth should also be capacitated in resource mobilization skills for youth enterprises for policy dialogue. Facilitate youth financial inclusion through direct investment and advocacy with PSAs to increase access to and utilize financial services. Youth should also be supported in the access and utilization of BDS.
40
Youth Enterprise Policy Analysis Report
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online