The ENJEF-PACS project has selected 6200 young people, including 52% of girls/young women vulnerable to violent extremism to benefit from various forms of support, including apprenticeships in craft workshops, internships for young academics in public and private structures, training in business development and the financing of business plans, and support for setting up young craftspeople. For the latter, the aim is to help them set up their businesses by providing them with work equipment. The project was launched on 14 May 2024 at the Plan International Togo offices in Dapaong, in the presence of the young beneficiaries and their parents/guardians, local authorities, the traditional chiefs, youth organisations and the project team made up of staff from Plan International Togo, Action Education, CACIT and WiLDAF-Togo.
For this first phase, batches consisting of 175 sewing machines for dressmakers, weavers and embroiderers, 221 moulds for bricklayers, 70 head-washing and drying machines for hairdressers, 12 cutting and drilling machines for aluminium carpenters, 50 air machines for gluers, etc. were handed over to the young people.
The satisfaction was palpable among the beneficiaries, as Brigitte DOUTI, who received a sewing machine, said: "I'm very moved by this gesture. With this sewing machine, I'll be able to open my sewing workshop and do my work". She added: "I undertake not to sell this equipment and to use it for my own well-being, and I plan to help my friends who didn't get this help from the project".
For the Prefect of Tône, "this equipment must not be sold. It must be used to lift people out of poverty. Each young beneficiary must be able to help other young people in his or her locality by accepting them as apprentices".
ENJEF-PACS is co-financed by the European Union and the Swedish Agency for International Development.
Equipment for setting up beneficiaries
