Future Economies Start with Youth

How do you make sure business growth actually leads to decent jobs for young people?

In this episode of Future Economies Start with Youth, the CFYE team takes us behind the scenes of its Results‑Based Payments (RBP) model. Joost Verwilghen, Juliana Beltran and Evi Michael unpack how linking funding to verified results has shaped partnerships, encouraged accountability and adaptability, and helped businesses translate growth into real employment outcomes for young women and men across 11 countries.

Drawing on practical examples from fund and country level, the conversation explores what works, what’s challenging, and what other programmes can learn from CFYE’s experience of balancing flexibility with impact.

In this episode, Kevin is joined by Ola Farrag, CFYE Country Lead in Egypt; Safa Omrani, Operations and Communications Manager at New Silk Roads; and Marlou Rijk, former CFYE Technical Assistance and Learning Manager and now with MDF. Together, they unpack the gender gap in digital employment across the MENA region. The conversation dives into how targeted initiatives can help close this divide - and how digital jobs can open powerful new pathways for young women to access meaningful work, build skills, and shape the future of their communities, while driving positive change for the wider economy.

Africa’s green transition has the potential to tackle climate change while creating millions of jobs for young people. In this episode, INCLUDE Knowledge Platform, CFYE's Implementing Partner, ThriveAgric, and NABC unpack key insights from the CFYE-INCLUDE three-year research partnership, exploring how green and digital transitions can drive inclusive, youth-led employment across the continent. The conversation highlights what’s working, what’s holding youth back, and what’s needed to scale decent work, especially for young women.

In today’s rapidly evolving job market, education alone is no longer enough. A 2022 UNICEF report revealed that nearly 75% of young people aged 15-24 in 92 countries lack the critical skills needed for modern employment. So, how do we bridge this growing gap?

In this episode of 'Future Economies Start with Youth' - The Podcast, our host Kevin Eustatia, sits down with Paul Njuguna, CFYE's Senior Portfolio Associate for Kenya, to explore the impact of the skills mismatch on young people and economic growth, particularly in Kenya, while highlighting key partners in CFYE's Kenyan portfolio that help bridge this gap. Emily Waters, CFYE's MEL Manager, discusses how data-driven, youth-centered training programs are transforming lives by aligning skills with market demands. She dives into the role of gender, accessibility, and feedback loops in shaping effective programs, with real-world examples of how listening to young people—especially marginalized groups—leads to meaningful change. From VR welding in Kenya to innovative hospitality training in Egypt, this episode highlights practical solutions and success stories that are redefining how we prepare the next generation for the workforce.

In this episode, our host Kevin Eustatia Palm is joined by Sinead Magill, Co-CEO of the Palladium Group, and Dirk-Jan Koch, Director & Secretary of the Advisory Council of International Affairs of the Netherlands (AIV). Together, they explore the roles of development organizations and donor countries in fragile contexts, discussing the risks and opportunities in overcoming conflict and challenging the conventional definition of post-conflict period. The episode delves into the significance of post-conflict stabilisation programs, sustainable economic growth, and the role of private sector development in achieving lasting peace, highlighting the importance of implementing inclusive development agendas that prioritise the inclusion of local communities and young voices. 

In today’s episode of the Future Economies Start with Youth

We will hear about the importance of putting local voices and youth at the forefront, not only for creating relevant, impactful solutions, but for fostering resilience and long-term sustainability. In addition, Ola, Lina and Andrew will shine light to how CFYE’s tailored approach leverages local knowledge and partnerships to create lasting change for youth employment. 

In this episode, host Kevin Eustatia and guests Niek van Dijk, Andy Bownds, and Anouk Verheijen explore the world of social impact and financial sustainability through the lens of investment readiness. Together, they uncover the challenges and opportunities faced by social businesses in attracting

In this episode, our host Kevin Eustatia Palm facilitated an insightful discussion on the potential of the plastic waste recycling sector to create green jobs for youth. Drawing upon the insights of the collaborative research conducted by The Include Knowledge platform and CFYE, the speakers Camee van Knippenberg, Brian Sagala and Rikke van der Veen explored the topic, respectively, from a youth, business and research perspective. Their discussions delved into the possibilities that this sector has to create green jobs and empower new generations of climate champions, while touching upon the current challenges to a sector-wide job improvement and formalisation. Their conclusion? Effective change hinges on a collaborative approach involving government, businesses, and workers.

In episode 12, "Equity Through Entrepreneurship" of Future Economies Start with Youth – The Podcast, host Kevin Eustatia takes a deep dive into entrepreneurship and how it can pave the way for equitable access to decent work. Featuring insights from CFYE Country Leads for Morocco Farah Fawzi and Senegal, Aminata Diouf, the discussion uncovers the complexities of gender disparities within the informal sector and the strides being made towards inclusivity. Furthermore, an enlightening interview with Fatou Diop, founder of Calinounou, sheds light on the transformative potential of entrepreneurial ventures, particularly in formalizing the housekeeping sector. Amidst challenges like informality and skill gaps, entrepreneurship offers a beacon of hope for youth employment. Through a multilateral approach involving government, private sector, and educational institutions, the episode envisions a future where entrepreneurship thrives as a catalyst for equitable and sustainable employment. Join us as we explore the dynamic intersection of entrepreneurship, youth empowerment, and equity, envisioning a future where opportunity knows no bounds.