Gracious Gifters Foundation Inclusive Economic Empowerment and Job Market Readiness Program- Building Resilience and Facilitating Job Opportunities for Poor Youths, Women and Vulnerable People in the Face of the Conflict in the Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon.
In a global economy where the wage sector remains thin and informal employment reaches 70% in developing markets, the challenge of finding dignified work is steep. In the Northwest and Southwest (NWSW) regions of Cameroon, this challenge is intensified by a decade of conflict, a growing “youth bulge,” and a digital divide that threatens to leave graduates behind.
At Gracious Gifters Foundation (GGF), we are tackling this head-on with our Economic Inclusive Empowerment and Job Market Readiness Program.
The Challenge: A Gap Between Graduation and Employment
Every year, thousands of graduates from universities and vocational institutes enter a competitive market without the “hands-on” experience or soft skills required to thrive. For women, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and persons living with disabilities (PWDs), these barriers are even higher, compounded by high costs of living and a lack of access to startup capital.
Our Strategy: Building the “Job-Ready” Workforce
We don’t just advocate for change; we build the infrastructure for it. Our approach focuses on:
- Hands-on Skill Acquisition: Moving beyond theory to “learning-by-doing” in high-demand sectors.
- Structured Mentorship: Connecting youth with industry coaches to navigate CV development, interview prep, and labour relations.
- The “Startup” Bridge: Providing the physical tools and capital needed to transition from student to entrepreneur.
- Digital Competence: Equipping vulnerable groups with the “new currency” of digital literacy to compete globally.
Success in Action: The Fako Empowerment Platform
We recently partnered with Tendo’s Foundation to launch a specialised pastry training for 15 youths living with disabilities. By mastering commercial-grade techniques and receiving comprehensive “Startup Kits”—including tools, fats, and dry goods—these participants bypassed the initial barriers to entry. Today, they are no longer just trainees; they are entrepreneurs transitioning toward financial autonomy.
Our Commitment: Breaking Barriers to Women’s Economic Agency
We recognise that women’s economic disadvantage is a result of systemic barriers—from the heavy burden of unpaid care work to restricted access to professional training. As noted by UN Women and the ILO, mothers face the steepest hurdles in the labour market.
Join the Coalition
GGF is firmly committed to dismantling these obstacles. Our programs are gender-transformative; we provide flexible, inclusive training and essential capital to directly address the “earning gap.” We ensure that even the most marginalised women in conflict-affected regions can transition from domestic confinement to becoming independent entrepreneurs and community leaders.
The road to 2027 requires radical collaboration. We are working alongside other actors such as the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, the Partnership for Economic Inclusion (PEI), and national ministries to ensure that the youth of the NWSW are not just survivors of crisis, but drivers of economic recovery.
Together, we are building resilience, one skill at a time.
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