Project Title

Strengthening Youth-led Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) for Economic Empowerment and Resilience in Jonglei State, South Sudan

Project Dates

May 2025 – December 2025

Implementing Agency

Tukul Africa

Project Objectives

– Validate and operationalize 30 existing youth-led MSEs and support 40 new MSEs.
– Enhance youth entrepreneurial and financial literacy skills through targeted training and coaching.
– Establish 18 Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) and build their capacity towards cooperative formation.
– Facilitate market linkages through 5 structured B2B forums.
– Implement robust monitoring, evaluation, and sustainability planning.

Main Activities

1️⃣ Project Start-Up & Administration
– Recruit Team Leader and Business Development Officer.
– Procure essential project assets.

2️⃣ Stakeholder Engagement & Entry Activities
– Conduct entry meetings with UNDP, State Government, and Project Oversight Committee.
– Run monthly radio talk shows featuring successful entrepreneurs to inspire youth.

3️⃣ MSE Validation & Loan Readiness Assessments
– Conduct field assessments of 30 existing MSEs.
– Develop business profiles and loan readiness appraisals.

4️⃣ Procurement & Distribution of VSLA Kits
– Purchase and distribute VSLA kits to 40 new MSEs and 18 new VSLAs.

5️⃣ Capacity Building & Training
– Produce localized training materials (audio/podcast format) on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and climate-smart business practices.
– Conduct 10-day entrepreneurship training for 40 groups (200 youth total).
– Deliver 3-day refresher training for 30 groups (150 youth total).
– Provide continuous coaching and mentorship at the MSE level, focusing on business plan development and loan delinquency management.

6️⃣ VSLA Formation & Cooperative Development
– Establish 18 VSLAs.
– Coach VSLAs towards cooperative formation.

7️⃣ Market Linkages
– Organize 5 B2B forums to connect youth businesses with buyers and market players.

8️⃣ Project Oversight & Learning
– Hold monthly debrief meetings with the Project Oversight Committee to review progress and adapt strategies.

9️⃣ Monitoring, Evaluation & Sustainability
– Develop M&E tools and conduct baseline surveys.
– Carry out quarterly monitoring visits and reviews.
– Conduct endline tracer study.
– Develop a sustainability and exit strategy to guide MSEs post-project.

Expected Results

– 350 youth trained (200 new trainees + 150 refresher trainees).
– 40 new MSEs activated and supported.
– 18 VSLAs formed and strengthened.
– 30 existing MSEs validated and supported.
– 5 B2B market forums held linking MSEs with markets.
– Enhanced capacity for youth entrepreneurs to access markets and financing.

Positive Changes for Target Groups

– Youth will gain improved entrepreneurship and financial skills.
– MSEs will have greater access to markets and financial services.
– Communities will benefit from job creation and strengthened local economies.
– VSLAs will provide sustainable financial inclusion and pathways to cooperative development.

Key Stakeholders

– Primary beneficiaries: Youth aged 18–35 (with emphasis on women, returnees, and marginalized groups).
– Government agencies: State Ministries of Youth, Trade, Finance.
– Private sector: Market players engaged through B2B forums.
– Community actors: Local leaders and CSOs for mobilization and support.

Monitoring & Evaluation

– Baseline survey, quarterly monitoring visits, and endline tracer study.
– Indicators: Number of youth trained, MSEs validated and supported, VSLAs formed, B2B forums conducted, and improved access to markets and financing.

Sustainability Plan

– Empower VSLAs to evolve into cooperatives.
– Build capacity of youth mentors for continued support.
– Link MSEs to ongoing government and partner programs.ape a future where every child has the tools and opportunities to succeed.