Youth Economic Participation
Pathways connecting young South Africans to skills, employment, entrepreneurship and economic participation.
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Programmes designed around people and opportunity.
Five programme pillars guide how The People Agency listens, designs, implements and measures development work across South Africa.
Enterprise & Livelihood Development
Strengthening entrepreneurs, small enterprises and livelihoods so more people can participate in markets with confidence.
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Community Development
Community-led development, local mobilisation and place-based initiatives that strengthen participation and opportunity.
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Democracy, Governance & Civic Participation
Programmes that strengthen active citizenship, public accountability and democratic engagement in development.
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Research, Advocacy & Policy
Evidence-based research, policy engagement and stakeholder dialogue to inform credible development practice.
View programme →Programme 01
Youth Economic Participation
Pathways connecting young South Africans to skills, employment, entrepreneurship and economic participation.
The challenge
Too many young people face limited pathways into employment, entrepreneurship and economic participation — despite capacity, ambition and community need.
Our response
We design programmes that connect youth to practical skills, market readiness, leadership development and institutional opportunity.
What we do
- Employment readiness and work-readiness support
- Skills development aligned to local opportunity
- Youth entrepreneurship and enterprise pathways
- Leadership and economic participation programmes
- Partnership with employers, trainers and public institutions
Intended outcomes
- • Increased readiness for employment and entrepreneurship
- • Stronger youth participation in local economic activity
- • Institutional partnerships that expand opportunity
Partnership opportunities
- • Corporate skills and employment programmes
- • Government youth development initiatives
- • Foundation-funded youth pathways
Programme 02
Enterprise & Livelihood Development
Strengthening entrepreneurs, small enterprises and livelihoods so more people can participate in markets with confidence.
The challenge
Many entrepreneurs and small enterprises lack the capability, market access and institutional support required to grow sustainably.
Our response
We support enterprise development, market readiness, business capability and inclusive economic participation — including digital inclusion where relevant.
What we do
- SME and entrepreneur capability development
- Market readiness and business support
- Enterprise development partnerships
- Livelihood strengthening in underserved communities
- Digital inclusion as an enabler of economic participation
Intended outcomes
- • Stronger enterprise capability and market participation
- • More sustainable livelihoods in target communities
- • Partnerships that unlock access to markets and finance
Partnership opportunities
- • Corporate ESD and supplier development
- • DFI and enterprise finance programmes
- • Municipal economic development initiatives
Programme 03
Community Development
Community-led development, local mobilisation and place-based initiatives that strengthen participation and opportunity.
The challenge
Development often fails when communities are treated as passive recipients rather than active participants in shaping local opportunity.
Our response
We facilitate community-led development, citizen participation and local initiatives that respect agency, dignity and local knowledge.
What we do
- Community-led planning and mobilisation
- Local development facilitation
- Stakeholder convening in place-based contexts
- Community Wi-Fi and connectivity where it expands access
- Partnership with municipalities and civil society
Intended outcomes
- • Stronger community participation in development decisions
- • Local initiatives with clearer institutional support
- • More accountable, place-based development delivery
Partnership opportunities
- • Municipal community development programmes
- • Foundation community investment
- • Corporate CSI in place-based contexts
Programme 04
Democracy, Governance & Civic Participation
Programmes that strengthen active citizenship, public accountability and democratic engagement in development.
The challenge
Weak civic participation and limited accountability can undermine development outcomes and public trust in institutions.
Our response
We support civic education, citizen participation, governance engagement and community voice — as part of credible development delivery.
What we do
- Civic education and participation programmes
- Governance and accountability engagement
- Community voice in development processes
- Stakeholder dialogue with public institutions
- Democratic engagement in programme design
Intended outcomes
- • Greater citizen participation in development decisions
- • Stronger accountability in programme implementation
- • More credible institutional partnerships
Partnership opportunities
- • Government citizen engagement programmes
- • Civil society coalitions
- • Research and governance partners
Programme 05
Research, Advocacy & Policy
Evidence-based research, policy engagement and stakeholder dialogue to inform credible development practice.
The challenge
Development practice requires credible evidence, policy engagement and informed dialogue — not assumptions or promotional claims.
Our response
We conduct research, facilitate stakeholder dialogue and engage policy questions with institutional seriousness, including technology and AI where relevant to development.
What we do
- Applied research and policy analysis
- Stakeholder dialogue and convening
- Evidence-based advocacy
- Technology-for-development capability where appropriate
- Publication of insights when approved for release
Intended outcomes
- • Stronger evidence base for programme design
- • Informed policy and stakeholder engagement
- • Credible institutional positioning in development debates
Partnership opportunities
- • Academic and research institutions
- • Development finance and policy partners
- • Foundations supporting evidence-based development
How we deliver
From challenge to accountable implementation.
Every programme follows a disciplined delivery sequence.
01
Identify
Understand community need and institutional mandate.
02
Co-design
Shape interventions with partners and participants.
03
Implement
Deliver with coordination and local relevance.
04
Measure
Track outputs and outcomes with accountability.
05
Scale
Expand through credible partnerships.