Govt launches 2015 youth development fund

Government says it is promoting enterprise development among the youth as a way of creating empowerment and employment for youths in the country.

Speaking during the launch of the 2015 youth development fund, Youth and Sport Minister Vincent Mwale says in the same regard, government has between 2012 and 2014 disbursed funds amounting to k43 million to 1,300 youth groups facilitating the creation of over 3,500 employment opportunities for the youth.

Mr Mwale says this number will rise in 2015 as government has provided k29.3 million in the 2015 national budget.

Mr. Mwale explains that of the K29.3 million youth development fund, central province will receive K2,275,176.72, copperbelt will get K3,448,899, while Eastern province will receive K2,621, 720.58, Luapula province K1,767,532.90, Muchinga province K1,363,668.62, Northern province K1,927,548.28, North western province K1,502,718.03, Southern Province K2,728,179.11, Western province will get K1,700,744.62 while K6 million will go towards administration, training, monitoring and evaluation.

Mr. Mwale adds that government is happy that all districts have begun to benefit from the youth development fund.

Mr. Mwale however states that beneficiaries from rural districts are still few compared to those from provincial centres which should not be the case.

He further states that in order to make the youth fund more responsive to the needs of the youth and make it efficient and effective, an impact assessment will soon be carried out.