Sustainable e-waste management for youth employment in Central Province

Summary

The project is being implemented by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Zambia's Central Province with funding from the Government of Japan. It addresses two interconnected challenges: the rising youth unemployment and the growing environmental and public health risks associated with improper electronic waste (e-waste) management.

The rapid growth in the use of electrical and electronic equipment has led to increasing volumes of discarded devices, many of which are disposed of through informal and unsafe methods. These practices can expose communities to hazardous substances, contribute to environmental degradation, and limit opportunities for the recovery and reuse of valuable materials. At the same time, many young people, particularly women and persons with disabilities, continue to face barriers to decent work and sustainable livelihoods.

The project transforms this challenge into an opportunity by promoting a circular economy approach that creates safe, productive, and inclusive employment opportunities in the e-waste value chain. Through practical technical training, work-based learning, apprenticeships, entrepreneurship development, and enterprise support, the project equips young women and men with the skills, experience, and resources needed to participate in e-waste collection, repair, refurbishment, recycling, and related green business activities.

A strong emphasis is placed on occupational safety and health, gender equality, disability inclusion, and decent work principles to ensure that employment opportunities are both sustainable and safe. In addition, the project strengthens collaboration among government institutions, local authorities, training providers, private sector partners, employers’ and workers’ organizations, and community stakeholders to improve the enabling environment for responsible e-waste management.

By creating green jobs, supporting youth-led enterprises, and promoting environmentally sound e-waste practices, the project contributes to improved livelihoods, reduced environmental and health risks, and a more inclusive and sustainable circular economy in Central Province and beyond.

Objectives

• Create safe and inclusive green employment opportunities for young women and men in Central Province.
• Equip youth with practical skills in e-waste collection, repair, refurbishment, recycling, and safe materials handling.
• Facilitate work-based learning, apprenticeships, and short-term employment opportunities in the e-waste value chain.
• Support the establishment and growth of youth-led enterprises in repair, refurbishment, and recycling services.
• Promote occupational safety and health (OSH) standards across all e-waste activities.
• Strengthen participation of women and persons with disabilities in green economy opportunities.
• Improve coordination among government institutions, training providers, local authorities, and private sector stakeholders.
• Increase public awareness of safe e-waste disposal and responsible environmental practices.
• Strengthen local systems for sustainable and employment-intensive e-waste management.
• Demonstrate a practical circular economy model that generates decent work while reducing environmental and health risks.

Activities

• Conduct youth outreach, mobilization, and beneficiary selection.
• Develop and deliver practical training programmes on safe e-waste management.
• Provide occupational safety and health training and protective equipment.
• Facilitate short-term green jobs and structured work-based learning placements.
• Support apprenticeships with municipal services and private sector partners.
• Deliver entrepreneurship training using proven business development methodologies.
• Assist youth in developing business plans and launching green enterprises.
• Provide business mentoring, coaching, and advisory services.
• Facilitate access to tools, equipment, markets, and business support services.
• Establish market linkages for youth-led enterprises and service providers.
• Strengthen local e-waste collection systems and service models.
• Build institutional capacity on occupational safety, decent work, and circular economy practices.
• Conduct community awareness campaigns on safe e-waste disposal and recycling.
• Promote public-private partnerships for employment-intensive e-waste services.
• Document and share good practices, lessons learned, and success stories.
• Facilitate knowledge exchange and learning opportunities with international e-waste management experts