📋 Tender Overview
Through the Baaradégé program, which means "learning by doing" in Bambara, Switzerland supports an integrated approach aimed at strengthening the employability and sustainable socio-economic integration of vulnerable youth in Sikasso, Mopti, Timbuktu, and Bamako. These young people benefit from professional development pathways that allow them to progressively acquire the skills necessary for their professional integration, by mobilizing public and private stakeholders.
Country/region Topic Period Budget
Mali
Inclusive economic Development
Vocational training
Employment creation
01.09.2026 - 31.10.2031
CHF 8’000’000
The project in brief
Background Since 2012, Mali has been experiencing a multidimensional crisis characterized by insecurity, persistent socio-political tensions, and recurring climate shocks. This situation undermines the economic prospects of young people and limits their access to employment, training, and sustainable socio-economic integration. Population displacements, the deterioration of social services, and disruptions to educational pathways exacerbate vulnerabilities, particularly among the most disadvantaged youth. In this context, a significant proportion of young people do not acquire the basic or professional skills necessary to enter the workforce. The availability of vocational training remains limited and insufficiently adapted to the needs of the local economy. The skills available still fall short of employers' expectations. This gap constitutes a major obstacle to youth employability, fuels underemployment, and reinforces a largely informal economy. More than a third of young people aged 12 to 35 are not in employment, education, or training (NEET), with an unemployment and underemployment rate of 17.9% for men and 22.7% for women. Depending on their needs and following a Leave No One Behind (LNOB) approach, some young people access vocational training directly, while others require a preparatory stage before entering a professional pathway leading to employment or self-employment.
Objectives To contribute to sustainably improving the employability and socio-economic integration of young people aged 12 to 35 in Mali, by strengthening their skills and their ability to access suitable employment and self-employment opportunities.
Target groups - Vulnerable young people aged 12 to 14, requiring prior upgrading before accessing a vocational training program, of whom 50% are women (approx. 9,600) - Vulnerable young people aged 15 to 35, far removed from employment, of whom 50% are women (approx. 10,000) - Internally displaced and refugee youth aged 15 to 35, 50% of whom are women (approx. 2,000) - Local communities and territorial authorities.
Medium-term outcomes Outcome 1: the most vulnerable young people gradually gain access to a professional pathway. Outcome 2: young people strengthen their employability and integrate sustainably into the labor market. Outcome 3: Public and private actors sustai
