Ahammad Parvej Khan
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), marked on Monday the closing of the project “Empowering Out-of-School Adolescent Girls and Young Women with Market-Driven Occupational Skills, Transferable Skills, and Job Placements” at a ceremony in Dhaka.
Boby Hajjaj, MP, State Minister, Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, attended the ceremony as Chief Guest.
Funded by the Government of the Republic of Korea through KOICA with a grant of USD 5.94 million and implemented by UNICEF, in collaboration with relevant government agencies and local partners, the project ran from July 2022 to September 2026 across seven districts in Bangladesh.
The initiative aimed to address barriers faced by marginalized out-of-school adolescent girls and young women aged 15–24, enabling them to develop practical skills and pursue meaningful economic opportunities.
The Project reached nearly 17,000 adolescent girls and young women and supported thousands of participants in transitioning from skills development into employment and entrepreneurship, contributing to greater economic independence.
Through market-relevant vocational and transferable skills training, workplace apprenticeships, employer engagement, and entrepreneurship support, participants were better equipped for wage employment or starting their own businesses. The Project also linked aspiring entrepreneurs with financial institutions for relevant financial services.
Beyond individual skills development, the Project sought to address social barriers that often limit young women's participation in education and economic activities.
Through community engagement and Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) initiatives, the Project promoted greater awareness and support among families and local communities for young women's education, employment, and entrepreneurship.
As the Project concludes, its market-responsive and employment-oriented approach closely aligns with the Government of Bangladesh’s ongoing efforts to expand inclusive learning and economic opportunities at the national level.
BNFE-led initiatives, including the Alternative Learning Opportunities (ALO) programme and the expansion of the SKILFO model, reflect the country’s commitment to strengthening non-formal education and skills development. This alignment provides a strong basis for sustaining the Project’s achievements beyond KOICA support.