Caritas Belarus, together with Renovabis and Caritas Linz (Austria), launched the International Humanitarian Charitable Project YES! (Youth Empowerment and Strengthening) in 2020.

The YES! project – ‘Poverty reduction through employment of socially vulnerable youth in less developed regions of Belarus’ aims to improve the living standards of young people in Belarus aged 18-35 who are in need of support.

This project addresses the problem of youth unemployment due to the lack of decent work especially in rural areas, by providing support to young people through career guidance, information on employment options, and entrepreneurship support.

Beginning in summer, trainings were held for young people in different regions of Belarus aimed at providing career guidance, while empowering and motivating them to develop their personal growth, skills and potential. The trainings emphasised both theory and practice. In one instance, youth from the agricultural college had the opportunity to take part in master classes organised by local business initiatives, artisans, and farmers.

Particular attention is paid to trainings and work with young people with disabilities. Recently, within the framework of the project, a training on the topic ‘Career guidance, employment and youth entrepreneurship’ was held. During the training, opportunities for employment and participation in project activities for people with disabilities were discussed. Participants also had the chance to learn to how to prepare their CV, introduce themselves to employers, and generate business ideas. The training analysed areas of market demand and discussed specialties and jobs in which people with disabilities can apply their knowledge. Through the project, Caritas Belarus has begun cooperation with Belarusian Association for Assistance to Disabled Children and Young People with Disabilities. Within the framework of our cooperation young people with disabilities will be given the opportunity to visit successful examples of social enterprises, get acquainted with inclusive business, communicate with their founders, gain invaluable experience and support of business consultants on how to make a business out of an idea.

The project also works with people in prison who will be released soon. Some of them have been in prison for years and it is important to help them adapt to the outside world. We work with them towards finding a job, teaching skills like CV writing, presenting skills, as well as discussing around the options of self-employment. It gives them confidence and helps the reintegration process.

Testimonies:

We asked for feedback from the project participants themselves, both the project trainers and young people:

Evgenia Tereshkina, project coach:

I came to the YES project! to learn, and try something new. When I was a student, I struggled to figure out who I wanted to be and in what direction I wanted to go. When I found out about the goals of the project, I was very inspired by the idea that I could help other people understand the issues that I could not solve myself many years ago.

After completing a training for the YES! project, I waited eagerly for the meeting with the first group of teenagers. I wanted not only to convey to them the knowledge that I received at the trainings, but most importantly – to motivate them to strive for new achievements, and to show them that all roads and the whole world are in their hands.

The biggest reward for me was the feedback from our group, and from their teachers who were present at the training. The youth actively participated, did their homework, and happily came back on the second day of the training! It was so nice to read their feedback – with warm words of gratitude!

To me this is a sign that we are doing something valuable and we are clearly moving in the right direction! Inspired by such a great experience, I am eager  to continue! The project has given me the chance to explore coaching as a new talent of mine!  For this I am very grateful to Caritas.

Tatiana Skirmant (college student):

I am studying at the music department. I’m training to be an educational facilitator. It is always interesting to discover something new. Absolutely everything was interesting to me at the training! This training will help me in the future to organise my own small business. I learned a lot about financial literacy, and what is generally needed to create my own business. I am very glad that we, the youth, have the opportunity to learn more about youth entrepreneurship and help choose the right direction in achieving and implementing our plans, to take a step towards them.

Evgeny Bolsun, project coach:

I was born in Gomel but moved to a village where I lived from the age of 7. I changed school six times. Every time it was a new team and new tests. I had to grow up fast, as I grew up without a father. I started earning at the age of 14 and my first job was at a grain dryer in the village.

I studied at the Mechanical Engineering College, then at the Modern Humanitarian Academy, Faculty of Law. I tried my hand in various fields from a mechanic in a bowling club to a taxi director. I was both an employee and the owner of my own business. Now I am an individual entrepreneur and trainer. Through reading educational books I came to the conclusion that my dream and purpose of life was helping people in realising their business ideas and gaining financial freedom. I like to inspire people, open new horizons for them, instill confidence and share experiences.

At the moment I live in a village and develop my personal subsidiary farm. I want to build my own family estate and open an agro-farm with a family farm and horse rental. I organise children’s and family camps on the territory of the farm. In the future, I hope to build a network of such agro-estates and show from my own experience that living in the countryside can also be interesting and exciting.

Participation in the YES project gave me the opportunity to come one step closer to my dream.

Igor Nasyha (participant of youth trainings from group of youth with disabilities):

I found out about the project by accident. I am very glad that I took part in it. The topic of career guidance for young people, training on the basics of entrepreneurship, seems interesting to me. I plan to apply the acquired skills in my employment. Participation in the training helped me to understand the direction of interests, my resources and learn more about entrepreneurship.