বাংলা
যুব ও ক্রীড়া মন্ত্রণালয়
Project Overview
Under the EARN project, skill development and employment opportunities will be expanded for 900,000 NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) individuals aged 15 to 35 years in Bangladesh who are currently outside the education, employment, or training system.
Economic Acceleration and Resilience for NEET (EARN)
Brief Introduction to the EARN Project
Under the Economic Acceleration and Resilience for NEET (EARN) project, nine hundred thousand NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) youth — 60 percent of whom are young women — will be integrated into economic and social activities, enabling them to contribute to Bangladesh's economic transformation and growth.
Sponsoring Ministry: Ministry of Youth and Sports
Implementing Agency: Department of Youth Development
The project is being implemented by the Department of Youth Development under the Ministry of Youth and Sports, with grant support from the Government of Bangladesh and loan assistance from the World Bank. The project will provide skills training, long-term employment opportunities, and entrepreneurship support — including microfinance — in demand-driven, appropriate, and environmentally friendly sectors. Through these initiatives, a large number of young people, particularly young women, will be ensured meaningful inclusion in Bangladesh's economic and social activities.
The primary target beneficiaries of the EARN project are youth and young women who are not engaged in education, employment, or training. The project covers six categories of beneficiaries:
1. Approximately 500,000 NEET youth at the grassroots level (including 300,000 women) will receive skills development training along with Socio-Emotional Behavior (SEB) and Enterprise Development Training (EDT).
2. 200,000 NEET youth (including 120,000 women) who have completed or are currently enrolled in SSC/HSC or higher-level education and have received or are receiving technical or vocational training from any institution will be provided with SEB and EDT training.
3. 100,000 NEET youth (including 60,000 women) who have dropped out at the secondary level will be given the opportunity to re-enter existing educational programs under the Open University.
4. 50,000 NEET youth (including 30,000 women) from registered youth clubs in 250 upazilas covered under the project will receive leadership training.
5. 25,000 NEET youth (including 15,000 women) will be provided with online training.
6. 25,000 youth from disadvantaged communities — including third-gender individuals, persons with disabilities, residents of remote areas, marginalized communities, and areas with special needs — will receive financial support through projects approved from the Innovation Fund to improve their socio-economic conditions.
Total Beneficiaries
9,00,000
Female Beneficiaries
60%
Project Coverage (Upazilas)
250
Estimated Project Cost
BDT 3,348.00 Crore
Project Duration
July'23 – December '28
Project Objectives
Skills Development Training
Under the project, rural underprivileged and unemployed youth will be identified and provided with modern technical and vocational education aligned with market demand. Through this initiative, school dropouts — both young men and young women — will have the opportunity to re-enter the mainstream of education and training.
Economic Inclusion of Young Women
Through awareness-raising initiatives and behavior change programs, the participation of young women in the workforce will be significantly increased. The project places the highest priority on enhancing the skills of rural women and empowering them to become self-reliant and economically independent.
Entrepreneurship Development Support
Alongside skills enhancement, young men and women will be provided with entrepreneurship development training and seed financing to support their journey toward self-reliance and economic independence. In addition, effective support will be offered through internship placements at various organizations as well as direct job placement assistance.
Sustainable Economic Transformation
Through this initiative, approximately 900,000 skilled workers will be developed by 2030. This will contribute to reducing unemployment across the country, boosting the productivity of the rural economy, and strengthening Bangladesh's transition process from a Least Developed Country (LDC) to a Developing Nation.
