Education for Employment joins forces with the UN-led Green Jobs for Youth Pact
The Green Jobs for Youth Pact proudly welcomes Education for Employment’s (EFE) commitment to implement a multi-pronged effort consisting of advocacy, knowledge sharing, capacity building, and direct trainings and employment support for young people in the MENA region. The innovative initiative by the International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) aims to provide youth with the skills and opportunities needed for a sustainable and equitable future, addressing the intertwined challenges of climate change, economic resilience, and gender equality.
1 July 2025
The Pact tackles gap in skills for green jobs
According to the latest projections from the International Labour Organization, a fair and inclusive shift towards a green economy could create up to 10 million jobs for young people worldwide by 2030. However, recent research highlights a persistent mismatch between the skills young people possess and those required for emerging roles in a low-carbon and resilient economy. Without targeted intervention, more than two-thirds of today’s youth may lack the necessary competencies to thrive in green careers by the end of the decade.
In response, the Green Jobs for Youth Pact—bolstered by Education for Employment’s commitment to advocacy, skill development, and direct support—brings together governments, employers, youth-led organisations, and the private sector to deliver practical training and create meaningful, sustainable job opportunities for young people, especially in regions where they are most needed.
EFE Leads the Way in Equipping MENA Youth with Green Skills and Sustainable Employment Opportunities
As part of its commitment to the Green Jobs for Youth Pact, and through its platform delivering the MENA Youth Employment Summit (MENA YES!), EFE will convene 200+ key stakeholders annually – including young people and representatives from the private sector, government, and the wider development field – to identify green solutions to the region’s youth unemployment crisis.
In addition, EFE will engage in direct training and employment support programming as well as capacity development activities, including technical and financial assistance efforts aimed at greening value chains and promoting job creation for youth. These activities will equip a total of 20,000 young people with the skills and mindsets needed to succeed in green jobs or to be change leaders by creating their own green businesses. Of the 20,000 youth, 8,500 will create businesses informed by an understanding of the importance of sustainable approaches. These efforts will also result in 2,300 jobs for young people being created or improved.
“At EFE, we believe young people in the MENA region are not just the leaders of tomorrow, they are the innovators of today. By joining the Green Jobs for Youth Pact, we are equipping youth with the skills, tools, and opportunities to thrive in the jobs of the future while enabling them to create sustainable livelihoods and drive lasting, inclusive, and climate conscious change in their communities and beyond.”
-Andrew Baird, CEO, Education For Employment
Building Green Pathways for Sustainable Employment
The Green Jobs for Youth Pact recognizes that the transition to a green economy presents an opportunity to redefine employment landscapes worldwide with the aim to establish pathways that are inclusive, fair, and sustainable. This new commitment will focus on expanding access to green jobs in developing regions, where environmental challenges are most pressing, and economic opportunities are most needed. Plan International’s programs will equip young people with the competencies required to seize green job opportunities.
About EFE
Education for Employment (EFE) is a network of locally managed NGOs operating in 11 countries, dedicated to bridging the gap between unemployed youth in the MENA region and the world of work. EFE collaborates closely with local governments and private sector partners to design programmes that align with the current demands of the job market, ensuring that graduates are connected to meaningful employment opportunities or receive guidance and support to launch their own enterprises.
EFE’s mission is to empower young people in the MENA region by enabling access to economic opportunities, helping them to build brighter futures for themselves, their families, and their wider communities.
About the Green Jobs for Youth Pact
The Green Jobs for Youth Pact is an interagency collaboration between the ILO, UNEP and UNICEF, dedicated to promoting a just transition to low-carbon economy while boosting decent work and green jobs opportunities for young people and entrepreneurs. The Pact brings together governments, businesses, and educational institutions through three tracks:
- Employment creation & entrepreneurship
- Environmental education & skills for green jobs
- Empowerment & youth engagement
For more information on how to commit to the Green Jobs for Youth Pact, please contact:
Sergio Andrés Iriarte Quezada, Youth Employment Specialist, [email protected]