Project Background

Timor-Leste, the second youngest country in the Asia-Pacific region and the 15^th youngest in the world with 74 per cent of its population aged 35 and younger, is about to enter a unique demographic window of opportunity with the potential for reaping significant economic and human development gains. The study reveals that 80% of youth are not formally employed and 25% are not looking because they are discouraged by the difficulty of finding work. Private sector development and traditional employment alone is unlikely to supply the 15,000 new jobs needed every year. Thus, transforming youth from ‘job-seekers' to 'job-creators' is essential to accelerate the country’s non-oil economic development and the achievement of the sustainable development goals.

The Response
Knua Juventude Fila-Liman (KJFL), a one-stop-shop platform for youth leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship launched on the 16th of August 2017 by the H.E. Dr. Rui Maria de Araújo, the then Prime Minister of the VI Constitutional Government. It is a public-private partnership focused on two main pillars: youth voices and opportunities.

While providing an integrated end-to-end support service from idea generation, start-up to scale-up, youth are also engaged in mentorship programmes, focus groups and trainings which shape positive behavioural changes and develop citizenship.
Services provided include training and incubation, business registration and legal advice, financing and financial literacy, innovation camps and challenges, research and leadership development, internships and employment opportunities, internet access and online learning, and E-Market platform connecting demand to supply for skills, services, and products.  

The Goal
Transform idle youth to become change-makers and social innovators through leadership and entrepreneurship, tackling challenges and seizing opportunities.

 Main Partners:                                                                                                         

• The Secretary of State for Policy, Vocational Training & Employment (SEPFOPE)               
• The Secretary of State for Youth and Sports (SSYS)
• National Institute for Entrepreneurship Development (IADE)
• The National Commercial Bank of Timor-Leste (BNCTL)
• Serviçoso de Registo e Verificação Empresaria (SERVE)
• Telemor
• Engineers Without Border (EWB) and Feto Engenari                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Contact Information

Project address

Pateo plaza-shop 38/39, Dili

Contact person

Felizberta Moniz da Silva

Project Manajer

felizberta.dasilva@undp.org

Key Result (2017-2018)

6KTimorese youth reached
and benefitted.

25 Youth who are now
entrepreneurs (start-ups)

6 Youth entrepreneurs who have expanded their business 

8 Youth who have accessed financial and infrastructure support

30 Youth who are now employed by
UNDP and other institutions

20 Youth who are volunteering
and interning at KJFL

10K People accessed job opportunities
through the E-Market platform www.filaliman.tl