Bhutan

Children and Youth Participation

The Royal Government is committed to towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015, and as such has made the decision to uphold poverty reduction as the central trust of the 10th Five Year Plan (2008-2013). The Royal Government has consistently devoted a quarter of its development budget to the social sector (health and education), and is dedicated to providing access to free basic education and free basic health service for all. However challenges exist which include reaching the most vulnerable groups across the country.

The Youth Development Fund (YDF) is a NGO in Bhutan helping out of school children and youth who due to poverty or other socio-economic difficulties have not been able to access the educational or employment opportunities, to return to formal education or to attend vocational training. YDF is the only NGO specifically serving people with disabilities.

The project will support the YDF to help develop human capacity for social and economic rehabilitation and curriculum to provide access to information and education to people with disabilities. It will also support YDF’s scholarship programme for poor children, vocational training on handicraft for rural girls, and rehabilitation/therapeutic programme for drug addicts and alcoholics.

UNDAF Outcome	1: By 2012, opportunities for generation of income and employment increased in targeted poor areas. 3. By 2012, access to quality education for all with gender equality and special focus on the hard-to-reach population improved.
CT Outcome	1.4.1 Community based MSMEs and cooperatives, particularly those of women and youth, supported through improved access to micro-finance, business development services, marketing, group formation and post harvest management services; 3.4.2 Capacity of relevant partners enhanced to further provide a supportive, preventive and participative environment for young people a) Capacity of relevant partners enhanced to further provide a supportive, preventive and participative environment for young people in and out of school, b) Mechanisms, structures and human resource development strengthened for mainstreaming children and youth participation in issues affecting their lives
CT Output	1.4. New Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and jobs created, with emphasis on women and youth, 3.4. National capacity strengthened to address the emerging challenges faced by young people
Project Location	Thimphu
Project Duration	January 2009 - June 2010
Budget Outlay	US$ 53,403.00
MDG Goal
Link to Workplan	Click on the icon to download