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Article by Paula Uribe, Regional Technical Manager for RET in Latin America and the Caribbean

To read this article in Spanish, check out our RET en español channel.

PANAMA CITY, PANAMA – The ILO’s Global Employment Trends for Youth 2024 report highlights that, despite the decline in the unemployment rate, young people without employment, education or training are a cause for concern.

RET International designed the Livelihood Recovery Strategy in 2012 with the aim of restoring and strengthening the economic and productive capacities of refugees and their host communities, as a result of that program in Panama, Costa Rica, Venezuela and Ecuador alone, more than 4,000 people were fully benefited in five years.

In addition, and in line with RET’s mandate to enhance opportunities for youth and face the challenges that affect their development and put their health, integrity and life at risk, the RETarte methodology was designed and implemented. It focused on enhancing the capacities, autonomy and participation of young people, promoting their leadership, integration and access to opportunities, and responding to challenges such as the lack of educational and economic opportunities, which limit the reconstruction of their life project affected by crises and structural conditions.

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RETarte al Futuro: Innovation for Youth Employability

Based on lessons learned, and after the application of both strategies in other contexts, such as in indigenous communities in Panama, RET created the RETarte al Futuro program. Focused on promoting job opportunities and strengthening the capacities of young people in vulnerable situations, this program is based on the development of resilience, socio-emotional support,  innovative solutions and multi-sectoral alliances, ensuring that young people have access to decent, sustainable jobs aligned with their aspirations, contributing to the development of youth in fragile or insecure environments.

The RETarte al Futuro youth employability intervention model  is based on three fundamental pillars:

• Technical and vocational training: RET develops training processes in strategic sectors, adapted to each context and aligned with the interests of young people, such as technology, renewable energies, sustainable tourism, languages and digital services. This ensures that they acquire skills relevant to the labor market.
• Life skills and employability skills: Beyond technical training, RET emphasizes resilience and the power that young people have to take control of their lives, especially those affected by crises. Work is done on the development of key skills for employability, such as effective communication, resilience, leadership and problem solving, essential for insertion and growth in the world of work.
• Entrepreneurship and self-employment: For young people with entrepreneurial aspirations, RET provides mentoring, seed capital and training in business management and innovation, in collaboration with donors and strategic allies, fostering the creation of sustainable initiatives that boost the local economy.

Providing psychosocial support in employability programs for young people in fragile contexts is a priority for RET. Adverse experiences can affect their self-esteem, confidence, and decision-making skills. This can subsequently impact their access to and permanence in employment. Access to post-primary education has also been a priority for RET since its foundation in 2000. In addition to strengthening their well-being, this also increases their opportunities for integration into- and success in the labor market and reduced protection risks.

The RETarte al Futuro program contributes to improving the economy of the countries and the stability of the region by strengthening labor insertion and youth entrepreneurship, reducing unemployment and promoting economic growth. From a macroeconomic perspective, greater youth participation in the labor market increases household incomes, strengthens domestic demand, and improves tax collection, allowing governments to invest more in social development and infrastructure. In addition, by offering viable economic alternatives, these programs reduce forced migration, poverty, and the risk of young people being recruited by criminal groups, thus promoting security and stability in the region.

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