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Step Up – Improving labour market access for unemployed

Nepal faces enormous employment challenges that are exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Difficulties to find gainful employment for the unemployed include lack of information on jobs and business opportunities, appropriate skills and access to networks and support services such as career guidance or counselling. In addition, business support services that provide entrepreneurs with services to start, sustain and improve their businesses are weak or even missing. The project aims to address these deficiencies in the current employment ecosystem and contribute to the Government of Nepal’s efforts to increase job creation and the employability of its labour force.
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Biratnagar, Nepal
26.4524746
87.27178099999999
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Budhiganga, Nepal
26.565957926038692
87.305154217132
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Itahari
26.6646381
87.27178099999999
Nepal
Project duration
2021 - 2024

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The Project

The Step Up project improves existing support services in the employment ecosystem and facilitates entrepreneurship and self-employment in thriving economic clusters.

 To this end, it provides capacity building of existing public and private labour market insertion providers, especially regarding the provision of timely and relevant information on job, business, and demand-based training opportunities.

To improve jobseekers’ access to entrepreneurship and self-employment opportunities the project strengthens business platforms and networks such as the Chambers of Commerce and industry associations. With their networks and industry-based knowledge, they can support jobseekers to seize self-employment and entrepreneurship opportunities within thriving economic sectors.

Lastly, the project strengthens business development support services and business incubators that help entrepreneurs to start, improve and sustain their businesses.

The project aims to benefit jobseekers in the project areas with a particular focus on women, returned migrants and those who have recently lost their jobs due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Project Goals

  1. Public and private labour market insertion service providers deliver more effective services.
  2. Training providers offer demand-based trainings that increase the employability of the unemployed.
  3. Local business platforms provide technical knowledge and market information to jobseekers and support them to seize self-employment and entrepreneurship opportunities within thriving economic sectors.
  4. Entrepreneurship support service providers effectively support micro, small and medium enterprises to start, sustain and scale up their businesses.

 Project Partners

  • Public and private labour market insertion service providers
  • Training service providers
  • Chamber of commerce and industry associations
  • Business development service providers

Expected Results

  • 4 500 jobseekers (50% women) access improved labour market insertion services.
  • 1 100 people (50% women) are wage-employed, self-employed or take up entrepreneurial activities and increase their income.
  • 700 jobs are created.

Financing partner

This project is part of the Swisscontact Development Programme, which is co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA. 

News

Nepal
Labour market insertion
26.07.2022
Step Up Providing Business Skills for Entrepreneurs
In the last few years, Itahari has become a major business hub of Province 1. However, the businesses that have been established in recent years lack proper business skills and knowledge which could possibly prevent them from sustaining or growing their business. 
Learn more
Nepal
Sustainable agriculture, Initial vocational education and training, Labour market insertion, Entrepreneurial ecosystems
08.03.2022
Empowering Women: Step by Step
As we mark the International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8, we focus on celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women around the world. This year, IWD’s slogan is #BreakTheBias, bringing into light the importance of raising awareness against all biases and taking actions for equality.
Learn more
Nepal
Labour market insertion
14.01.2022
Swisscontact and Social Welfare Council signs project agreement for Step Up Project
On 14th January 2022, Swisscontact and The Social Welfare Council (SWC) signed an agreement to implement the "Step Up" project in Nepal.
Learn more