2019 to 2024
Partner
Mastercard Foundation
Sector
Manufacturing, youth employment, sector agnostic
Target
Outreach: 718,000
Youth In Work: 530,000
Young Women: 80%
Regions
Addis Ababa, Amhara, Tigray, South Ethiopia, Central Ethiopia and Southwest Ethiopia
BRIDGES was a bold, five-year initiative (2019–2024) with an ambitious goal: to create and support over 718,000 youth jobs across Ethiopia, with a strong focus on empowering women. Led by FC in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, the Programme set out to tackle youth unemployment head-on.
Rooted in Ethiopia’s manufacturing sector and spanning every region and city administration, BRIDGES supported both wage and self-employment opportunities. The Programme targeted unemployed youth and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), equipping them with demand-driven skills, financial access, mindset transformation, and market linkages.
At the heart of BRIDGES was collaboration. The Programme worked alongside over 200 public and private partners, creating a nationwide movement to build sustainable livelihoods and unlock economic potential for Ethiopia’s next generation.
Strategic Pillars
There were four pillars the programme focused on to be able to support youth people in both wage and self-employment pathways.
Workforce Development BRIDGE (WDB)
The Workforce Development Bridge supported job seekers to industrial and other sectors’ employment by streamlining recruitment and training for industrial parks. Through screening and orientation programs, it improves job placement and retention.
Enterprise Development BRIDGE (EDB):
The Enterprise Development Bridge (EDB) supported unemployed youth with life skills, employability training, business development services, technical training, access to finance facilitation and entrepreneurial support. Its digital arm, Awaqi, is an online platform that promotes youth entrepreneurship and employability through engaging content on mindset, skills, and opportunities. Delivered via social media and the web, Awaqi provides short videos, training materials, and job listings to help young people find employment or launch businesses.
Enterprise Competitiveness Bridge (ECB)
The Enterprise Competitiveness BRIDGE aims to make small and medium enterprises (SMEs) competitive by enabling them to tap into major market opportunities around major Industrial Parks (IPs) and anchor enterprises outside Ips. With the aim of creating strong and sustainable linkages for skill and knowledge transfer from the anchor enterprises (AEs) to SMEs, the work involves major information, coordination, capacity development and access to finance facilitation initiatives.
Access to Finance (A2F) Bridge
The Access to Finance (A2F) Bridge tackled the financial barriers faced by MSMEs by working closely with financial institutions to narrow the financing gap. It supported young entrepreneurs in accessing credit through a combination of policy advocacy, institutional capacity building, and the promotion of innovative financing solutions. The program also facilitated stronger linkages between youth-led enterprises and financial service providers, helping to improve creditworthiness and expand financial inclusion.
Target Achieved
120,343
Enterprises supported (48,245 newly established, 72,098 existing).
815,000
Individuals reached through the various services provided
596,000
Youth employment supported, out of which 56% are for young women
ETB 5.6 Billion
Credit facilitated for MSMEs
55,000
Enterprises accessed credit
200+ Partners
Including private and public organizaions
Other Publications
Interest-Free Banking in Ethiopia – An Analysis of Product Offerings and Market Adoption
Restoring Resilience: MESMER Programme Concludes First Phase of Psychosocial Support
