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Entra21 Youth Employment Latin America

Latin America & Caribbean (22 countries), Latin America

Entra21 was a landmark youth employment initiative (2001-2011) across 22 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, providing job training and placement to disadvantaged youth aged 16-29. A collaboration between International Youth Foundation and IDB Multilateral Investment Fund, it demonstrated 8 percentage point increases in formal employment and up to 50% higher earnings. The model evolved into the New Employment Opportunities (NEO) initiative (2012-2018) continuing to scale impact.

Behavior Goal

Increase formal employment and sustained workforce participation among disadvantaged Latin American youth through skills training and job placement

Implementers & Partners

  • International Youth Foundation
  • Local Training Partners

Donors & Sponsors

  • Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
  • Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF)

Key Takeaways

  • 132% increase in formal employment vs control group at 18 months
  • 2Effects stronger and more persistent for male participants
  • 3Increased persistence of employment not just more frequent job entries
  • 4Participants showed improved access to consumer credit
  • 5Model successfully scaled to NEO initiative reaching more countries

Sources

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