Boosting youth employment using an integrated approach in the framework of DWCPs in Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan

The project is based on the national priorities, identified by the governments, employers and workers during technical discussions leading to the development of DWCPs in Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan. Decent employment has emerged as one of overarching priorities for DWCPs in these countries in the upcoming biennium, as reflected in the draft DWCP developed in Azerbaijan and the Memorandum of Understanding on DWCP priorities signed in Kyrgyzstan. Boosting employment is viewed by the tripartite constituents of these countries as a decisive factor for national economic growth and poverty reduction, and boosting youth employment in particular is viewed as one of the priorities in these countries where demographic pressures are strong and labour markets are facing increasing cohorts of young entrants in the coming years. In recognising the importance of youth employment, Azerbaijan has stepped forward as the Lead Country of Youth Employment Network (YEN).

The overall implementation principles and methods for both countries would include the following:
- tripartite social partnership
- gender mainstreaming
- knowledge-sharing and promotion;
- institutionalization and networking, including with strategically important partners such as youth associations (see section 1.3).

The ultimate goal is to combine job creation with decent and safe working conditions to boost productivity.