In honor of the 2024 International Youth Day, the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta region (PIND) proudly celebrates the remarkable journey of Eunice Sologidi, a standout grantee of the 2023 Challenge Fund through our Youth Employment Pathways (YEP) program. Eunice’s story illustrates the profound impact of digital technology and strategic support in fostering youth entrepreneurship and driving social change.
As the CEO of Skills for Living, Eunice utilized her grant from PIND’s Challenge Fund to expand her finished leather works business, achieving an income growth of over 40%. Based in Oghara, Delta State, she specializes in high-quality footwear and leather bags, effectively using digital platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X to enhance her market presence online.
Eunice’s influence extends beyond her business. Through her “After School What Next” initiative, she has partnered with schools in Delta State to offer practical training in shoemaking and leather production, equipping secondary school students with valuable skills and encouraging them to explore entrepreneurial ventures. She has also given back to her village in Bomadi LGA by training over 200 individuals in leathercraft and plans to extend this program to Bramatu LGA. In addition to PIND’s support, Eunice has received several grants, including a $5,000 Connak Foundation grant, further supporting her business growth.
Eunice Sologidi’s story vividly showcases how digital innovation and community-focused programs can drive youth development in the Niger Delta region. This example underscores our steadfast commitment to nurturing young talent. Since the inception of the Youth Employment Pathways (YEP) program in 2018, PIND has trained over 8,306 young individuals in essential market skills, connected 3,435 of them to meaningful employment opportunities, and enabled them to start their business enterprises. In Delta state, a total of 1,900 young people have been trained under the YEP program, with over 65 benefitting from finished leather works and over 582 in ICT. The YEP program has made remarkable progress across various fields, including agriculture, fashion design, and technology, by providing the resources and support needed for youth to thrive in a changing job market.
To learn more about our Youth Employment Pathways program, please visit the link; https://pindfoundation.org/project/youth-employment-pathways
Read more about our successes and impact in our 2023 Annual Report; https://pindfoundation.org/pind-2023-annual-report/
