The Youth Empowerment for Economic Participation in Rwanda project is implemented by SEVOTA Organisation and funded by the Lemonaid & ChariTea Foundation, a German nonprofit organization founded in 2010 in Hamburg. The Foundation works with local partners across the Global South, including Rwanda, to support social, economic, and environmental development initiatives. It is closely linked to the organic beverage brands Lemonaid and ChariTea, which contribute a portion of their sales to fund community-based projects worldwide.
Running from August 2023 to July 2026, this initiative targets 1,026 young people in Kamonyi and Muhanga Districts, combining vocational training, entrepreneurship development, peacebuilding, and collective income-generating activities to enhance youth economic participation and social cohesion.
Participants are organized into 27 Peace and Development Clubs, which serve as platforms for skills development, peer learning, and community engagement. Through these structures, young people have acquired practical and market-relevant skills in tailoring, welding, carpentry, bakery, hairdressing, and business management, while also promoting unity, reconciliation, and peaceful coexistence within their communities.
In addition, the project supports the delivery of start-up seed capital, as well as essential machines and equipment for the 27 Peace and Development Clubs, enabling youth to put their skills into practice, initiate income-generating activities, and strengthen the sustainability of their enterprises.
Key Achievements and Indicators
1,026 youth participants actively engaged in project activities
27 functional Peace and Development Clubs established and operational
185 youths trained in demand-driven vocational skills across two implementation phases
135 youths professionally trained and currently generating income through self-employment, micro-enterprises, and paid community services
50 youths trained through peer-to-peer learning approaches, strengthening mentorship and knowledge transfer systems
Provision of start-up seed capital, machines, and equipment to all 27 Peace and Development Clubs
Improved household livelihoods and reduced economic vulnerability among beneficiary families
Strengthened youth leadership, entrepreneurship capacity, employability, and community cooperation
The project has also enhanced access to finance and market opportunities through strong collaboration with Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs), local authorities, market actors, vocational trainers, community leaders, and the project Monitoring and Evaluation team.
By integrating economic empowerment with peacebuilding, the initiative continues to nurture resilient communities where young people are empowered as active agents of peace, stability, and sustainable local development.