Riyaz Patel
South Africa’s Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) has won a bronze award for its successful implementation of youth empowerment policies.
The announcement was made at the prestigious Future Policy Award (FPA) 2019 ceremony, in Belgrade, Serbia.
“The prestigious accolade means that the work of political leaders, administrative managers and officials, for developing and implementing policies that enhance the empowerment of young people in conjunction with communities, is evidently making a difference,” said Deputy Minister Noxolo Kiviet, receiving the award on behalf of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.
She said the EPWP will continue to explore ways to enable sustainable livelihoods through training and skills development, as well as through advancing entrepreneurial development by supporting cooperatives and small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs).
“Youth unemployment remains a massive issue in our country where young people have so much to contribute and every effort must be made by government and the private sector to empower and give opportunities to young people.”
A total of 67 policy submissions from 36 countries contested the 2019 Future Policy Awards.
Eight inspiring laws and policies aimed at empowering young people to build a sustainable future were recognised at the Future Policy Award ceremony.
Rwanda, Estonia, Scotland (United Kingdom), Nepal, South Africa, Europe, Los Angeles (USA) and Senegal were declared winners in various categories.
The FPA, now in its 9th year, aims to raise global awareness of exemplary policies and speed up policy action.
