The Rwandan Youth have presented recommendations to the Ministry of Public Service and Labour to help shape the implementation of the country’s National Employment Policy 2026–2036.
The recommendations were developed during a youth consultation in Kigali on October 9, following a two-day technical meeting held from October 7 to 8 as part of the policy’s validation process.
Youth representatives reviewed the policy’s priorities and jointly drafted a Call to Action outlining proposals for its implementation and monitoring. The recommendations were presented to the labour ministry (MIFOTRA), providing a channel for young people to contribute to decisions affecting employment opportunities.
The activities were organised through the EU–ILO Youth Employment Expert Network, co-funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
In Rwanda, the initiative worked with the ILO’s Boosting Decent Jobs and Enhancing Skills for Youth in Rwanda’s Digital Economy project, funded by the Government of Luxembourg. The project has supported MIFOTRA through a two-year process of reviewing, consulting on and validating the employment policy.
The Kigali meeting brought together policymakers, employment experts and development partners to discuss effective youth employment programmes, inclusive policymaking and partnerships to expand job opportunities.
Discussions drew on international evidence, including an ILO–World Bank systematic review of active labour market programmes for young people, alongside practical experiences from national and international partners.
Youth employment remains a key national priority. Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation Phase 2 includes a target of creating 1.25 million productive and decent jobs over its implementation period.
The EU–ILO Youth Employment Expert Network is also holding activities in Malawi and the Philippines between October and November 2026, bringing together governments, young people and development partners to strengthen employment policies and translate research into practical action.
