[{"bbox": [146, 178, 306, 203], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## Lessons Learnt:"}, {"bbox": [146, 219, 1085, 415], "category": "Text", "text": "Past experience also clearly signals the need for greater result-oriented interventions and culture of performance and that programmes work best when they include a focus on improving coordination, collaboration and cooperation amongst stakeholders. Against that background, this action benefits from the highest political interest (private sector, investment, exports, anti-corruption, etc...), as repeatedly highlighted by the Malawi authorities and enshrined in the country's long-term blueprint, \"Malawi 2063\" launched in 2021, and its first implementation plan, thus mitigating risks of insufficient interest from the government."}, {"bbox": [146, 427, 1085, 597], "category": "Text", "text": "In addition, this action will capitalise on the existing support to TEVET and Private Sector development under the Zantchito - Skills for Jobs Programme, and on past interventions such as the Support to Technical Education Programme (STEP). In particular, the Zantchito Programme is supporting the creation of four Centres of Vocational Excellence, in Lilonwge - Agricultural Mechanisation, Mzuzu - Renewable Energy, Blantyre - Tourism, and Salima - Marine transport. These Centres can represent relevant skills development partners during the implementation of this action."}, {"bbox": [146, 608, 1085, 805], "category": "Text", "text": "Lessons learnt from interventions in the area of MSME development highlight the importance of envisaging coaching and mentoring as a long-term endeavour and the ability of the programme to adapt assistance to evolving needs of businesses throughout their life-cycle (training, finance, etc.). It has also been found that services must be well-targeted and delivery mechanisms must be timely, as delays can have a critical impact on businesses. In this perspective, linkages with business development services supported under the entrepreneurship component of the Zantchito programme will also be created as part of the synergies that the action will establish with other EU funded actions."}, {"bbox": [146, 817, 1085, 986], "category": "Text", "text": "Finally, Team Europe is actively supporting initiatives related to job creation and sustainable growth, including circular economy, agribusiness, value chain development, access to finance, and skills development. The Action will identify synergies with these ongoing efforts, such as prioritising value chains already in focus (which encompass but are not limited to rice, soybean, banana, honey, aquaculture, macadamia, and groundnuts), while also venturing into emerging sectors of the digital, green and circular economy."}, {"bbox": [146, 999, 461, 1031], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 3.5 The Intervention Logic"}, {"bbox": [146, 1045, 1085, 1158], "category": "Text", "text": "The underlying intervention logic for this action is based on the premise that civil society can play a pivotal role in driving job creation for youth in Malawi. This can be achieved by establishing and strengthening partnerships with the government and private sector, introducing innovative solutions aimed at enhancing job opportunities and private sector dynamism."}, {"bbox": [146, 1169, 652, 1199], "category": "Text", "text": "Specifically, the following key strategies are proposed:"}, {"bbox": [146, 1210, 1085, 1352], "category": "List-item", "text": "1. Cash Transfer Scheme: Civil society and the government can collaborate, leveraging insights from international best practices, to develop and pilot a context-appropriate cash transfer scheme tailored to the needs of Malawian youth. This scheme should be effective, innovative and sustainable, with the potential for replication. It shall support enhanced employment and self-employment opportunities."}, {"bbox": [146, 1362, 1085, 1448], "category": "List-item", "text": "2. Skills Development Fund: Civil society, in cooperation with the private sector and the Malawian government, can design and establish a sustainable mechanism, such as a skills development fund, addressing two critical aspects:"}, {"bbox": [183, 1459, 1085, 1516], "category": "List-item", "text": "a) Workforce Development, filling the gaps in the formal Technical, Entrepreneurial, and Vocational Education and Training (TEVET) system."}, {"bbox": [183, 1516, 1085, 1573], "category": "List-item", "text": "b) Technology Integration, supporting the private sector in adopting new technologies in their production methods to enhance efficiency and competitiveness."}, {"bbox": [966, 1681, 1083, 1706], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 11 of 16"}]