Objectives

USAID Bijoyee project focuses on three key Intermediate Results (IRs) to drive its mission. They are-

• To Improve youth access to equitable economic opportunities.
• To strengthen YLOs.
• To reinforce Local Youth Systems.

Under IR 1, the project enhances youth employability by strengthening soft skills, green skills, and facilitating private sector linkages for job placements and entrepreneurship support. IR 2 promotes youth civic engagement by empowering Youth-Led Organizations (YLOs) to lead community initiatives and advocate for inclusive governance. Lastly, IR 3 strengthens institutional capacities by fostering partnerships between YLOs, private sector, and government agencies to improve youth services and ensure the inclusion of marginalized groups in decision-making processes. Together, these IRs support USAID Bijoyee's goal of creating a more sustainable, youth-driven future in Bangladesh.

Project Summary

The USAID Bijoyee Project (Bijoyee) is a 5-year initiative funded by USAID. This is a consortium project comprising CARE international, JAAGO Foundation Trust, BYLC and UCEP. It has support from 5 more organizations as inclusion partners. It aims to strengthen more effective, inclusive, locally-led development by and with Bangladeshi youth as core participants and decision-makers. Bijoyee focuses on enhancing opportunities for skills development and civic action among youth not in education, employment, or training (NEET), including women and vulnerable subgroups, such as youth living with disabilities, ethnic minorities, dalits, and gig workers.

The project is implemented in Dhaka South, Dhaka North Munshiganj, Manikganj, Gazipur, Narayanganj,Chattogram, Cox Bazar, Bandarbans,Khagrachari, Khulna, Magura, Satkhira, Jashore, Rangpur, Kurigram, Nilphamari, Mymensingh, Sherpur Rajshahi and Bogura. The locations have been selected considering several factors including the presence of economic zones, high numbers of NEET youth, presence of NEET host communities, creating economic opportunities for them, representation of intersectionality groups (women and girls, youth with disabilities, gender diverse youth, and ethnic groups), climate vulnerability, and diverse sectoral demand, consideration of partner footprint and strength and alignment with government priorities.

JAAGO Foundation Trust’s intervention includes Dhaka South, Munshiganj, Narayanganj, Chattogram, Cox Bazar, Bandarbans and Khagrachari. Through Bijoyee JAAGO will equip 55000 youth with assets and agency for the future of work; maximize youth contribution by strengthening youth-led organizations (YLOs) and youth-serving organizations (YSOs); and build an enabling environment for youth by reinforcing effective local youth systems. Rooted in power shifting and sharing, Bijoyee will model localization, youth leadership, empowerment, and inclusion in its management structure. Additionally, Bijoyee will develop the capacity of 300 grassroots YLOs to support youth civic engagement, access to services, networking, and youth-led advocacy actions.