We can’t repeatedly rely on what does no longer generate solutions to outstanding challenges of the 21st century interconnected, and technology driven environment to protect our future.  Young people have the potential to lead, to innovate and inspire the change we want if provided with skills and agency they need.

Kivu Initiatives for Education engages youth in in building skills necessary for success using Youth Participatory Action Research based education Interventions and Integrated Positive youth development (IPYD) approaches.  Kivu Initiatives for Education challenges the business-as-usual model of developing youth skills development. How do training practices allow young people to develop those skills? How can new models challenge the institutional context for skill development differently from one size fits all model ensuring linkage with local labor market needs?

KIE offers expertise focusing building Integrated Positive Youth Development through “Five Cs” including competence, character, connections, confidence, and compassion. Kivu Initiatives for Education provides youth with:

Support: Motivational, emotional and strategic supports to succeed in life. The supports can take many different forms, but they must be affirming, respectful, and ongoing. Supports are powerful when offered by a variety of people, such as parents and close relatives, community social networks, teachers, youth workers, employers, health providers, and peers who are involved in the lives of young people.

Offer opportunities: Chances for young people to learn how to act in the world around them, to explore, express, earn, belong, and influence. Opportunities give young people the chance to test ideas and behaviors, and to experiment with different roles. It is important to stress that young people, just like adults, learn best through active participation and that learning occurs in all types of settings and situations.

Support quality services: Services in such areas as education, health, employment, and juvenile justice which exhibit: 1) relevant instruction and information; 2) challenging opportunities to express oneself, to contribute, to take on new roles, and be a part of the group; and 3) supportive adults and peers who provide respect, high standards and expectations, guidance and affirmation to young people.

Training:  The Youth Workforce Development Academy focuses on up-skilling of entry-level workers and labor-market insertion of youth to enhance their skills, reskilling, and upskilling them to progress their career and become cutting edge Leaders able to create cultures of engagement that promote initiative, teamwork and performance in challenging the status quo. In collaboration with the Bilingual University of Congo, Youth Workforce Development Academy offers Integrated Positive Youth Development leadership programs like Comprehensive Leadership Programs (CLP), Executive Program for Administration (EPA), International Education (IE), Digital Literacy Program, Future-Ready Program (PFP), Big Brothers, Big Sisters Mentorship (BBM), and Work readiness and Be Your Boss Programs.