The Objective Of This Call For Expression of Interest
The Mastercard Foundation is seeking to contract a Youth Enabling Organization who will collaborate closely with the Youth Engagement team to manage Youth-Led Organizations in Kenya. This assignment will revolve around YLOs’ mapping and recruitment, onboarding, contracting, MEL, and overall program management within the program period.
Submissions are open from June 16th to June 30th.
General Description Of The Assignment
The Mastercard Foundation in Kenya, through its Young Africa Works strategy, aims to enable 7 million young people—5 million of whom are young women—to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030. A core part of this strategy is the Foundation’s deep commitment to partnering with youth-led organizations, recognizing their vital role in reaching and empowering Kenya’s most marginalized young women and men.
Youth-led organizations are uniquely positioned to drive transformative change and innovation. They bring firsthand insight into the challenges faced by young people and are critical in designing and delivering relevant, inclusive, and impactful solutions. By partnering with these organizations, the Foundation seeks to amplify youth voices, support locally driven innovation, and scale up efforts that unlock meaningful work opportunities for all young people. The partnership with youth-led organizations focuses on the following key areas:
- Education and Skills Development – Providing young people with the knowledge and practical skills needed for employment and entrepreneurship.
- Financial Inclusion – Expanding youth access to financial services and tools to support their economic empowerment.
- Youth Employment – Promoting inclusive job creation in high-potential sectors such as agriculture, construction, and technology.
- Disability Inclusion – Ensuring young people with disabilities have equal access to education, training, and work opportunities.
- Gender Equality – Addressing systemic barriers faced by young women in accessing education, employment, and leadership opportunities.
Through these efforts, the Mastercard Foundation aims to foster a thriving ecosystem of youth-led organizations capable of driving long-term, inclusive growth across Kenya.
Forcus On Inclusive Solutions For Young People In Kenya
In Kenya, Youth aged 15–34 years constitute approximately 35% of the population, yet the youth unemployment rate remains alarmingly high—estimated at 67%, according to Statista. This crisis is fueled by a complex interplay of factors, including:
- A mismatch between skills acquired and market needs, particularly in sectors driving future employment such as agriculture, technology, and entrepreneurship.
- A shortage of life skills, mentorship, and career guidance, which limits young people's ability to navigate the transition from education to work.
- Limited access to apprenticeship and practical training opportunities that build real-world experience.
- Weak enabling environments for youth entrepreneurship and innovation, compounded by poor access to capital, networks, and business development support.
These structural barriers disproportionately affect young women, refugees, and youth with disabilities, making inclusive and youth-centred solutions essential. Addressing these challenges requires targeted interventions that are led by young people themselves and supported by partners with deep contextual understanding and technical expertise.
