WINGS TO FLY - PROMOTION OF YOUTH EMPLOYMENT THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS PROJECT

The Wings to Fly – Promotion of Youth Employment through Scholarships Project is a strategic partnership between the Government of Kenya, through the Ministry of Education (MoE) – State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and the Government of Germany, through the KfW Development Bank. The program is implemented by the Equity Group Foundation (EGF) under the oversight of the Ministry of Education. EGF is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the project, including scholarship administration, program operations, monitoring and evaluation, as well as stakeholder engagement.

In Phase IV, the project provided scholarships to 805 Wings to Fly alumni of the 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 KCSE cohorts who did not qualify for university admission, enabling them to access skills for gainful employment and entrepreneurship by pursuing TVET courses. The project is funded through a grant and covers tuition fees, admission fees, learning materials, examination fees, accommodation and meals, transport, and other associated costs. A total of 805 scholars were successfully awarded scholarships and are pursuing various courses in TVET institutions across the country.

Phase V of the project aims is to support scholars to successfully complete TVET courses in agriculture-related fields. This phase targets 1,200 youth for full scholarships at certificate and diploma levels. The scholarship package includes tuition fees, admission fees, learning materials, stipends, examination fees, meals, and accommodation. The project is also funded through a grant and prioritizes gender inclusivity with a target ratio of 60% women and 40% men. Its aim is to enhance employability and entrepreneurial potential through technical skills development, access to financial tools, and comprehensive wraparound support services.

The program is designed to contribute to Kenya’s job creation and agricultural transformation agenda by aligning technical training and entrepreneurship opportunities with the country’s agricultural value chains. It seeks to facilitate access to dignified employment and self-employment by leveraging ICT innovations across key areas such as agricultural inputs (seeds, fertilizers, agrochemicals), mechanization (planting, irrigation, and harvesting), and output market systems. Through this approach, the program enhances productivity, promotes financial inclusion, and improves market access.

Specifically, the project supports the adoption of modern agricultural practices, links beneficiaries to agricultural services, financing solutions, and value chain actors, and utilizes an integrated digital platform to enable year-round engagement. This platform provides training, access to inputs, extension services, and market linkages. The holistic model strengthens agricultural enterprises, builds youth resilience, and ensures sustainable livelihoods while contributing to national food security.

Through this programme, hundreds of young Kenyans who were at a risk of unemployment and vulnerability were given the opportunity to acquire technical skills that enhance their employability and entrepreneurial potential. Additionally, scholarships targeting agriculture-related TVET courses directly contribute to Kenya’s agricultural transformation .