UNICEF’s UPSHIFT Program Approach to Empower Young Moroccans

Rabat – A November 17 ceremony marked the launch of the UPSHIFT program, an initiative to empower young Moroccans, especially girls, to acquire digital, entrepreneurial and environmental skills. The new initiative was launched on Wednesday in Rabat at a ceremony held at the residence of the Finnish ambassador to Morocco.

The program is the result of a partnership between Nokia, UNICEF, and the Orange Foundation, seeking to train around 1,400 young people. At least 60% of the program aims to cater to girls, providing training in a range of skills such as teamwork, self-esteem, creativity and communication.

The program additionally aims to focus on developing the participants’ digital skills and raise awareness on climate change challenges.

Among participants, nearly 250 young people will be supported in launching their own projects and initiatives.

Finnish Ambassador to Morocco Pekka Hyvonen, said that “this program will develop the skills of young Moroccans and improve their digital know-how, with the aim of making their services more competitive and offering them more visibility.”

The program is a concrete example of sustainability, with a tendency to “strengthen innovation and community engagement for a more sustainable impact,” the deputy representative at UNICEF Morocco, Naseem Awl, stressed in a statement to Morocco’s state press agency.

The initiative aims to show the value of public-private partnerships used to support young people and the development of their skills, she added.

For her part, Secretary General of Orange Morocco Hind Lfal highlighted that “the Orange Foundation is proud to join this program alongside UNICEF and Nokia with the aim of developing skills and promoting the professional integration of marginalized young Moroccans.”

Meanwhile, Nokia’s Vice President for North and West Africa Pierre Chaume, emphasized the power of collaboration to support development. He stated that “by focusing together on social innovation and youth entrepreneurship, we will empower disadvantaged youth and equip them with digital, entrepreneurial and ecological skills.”

The UPSHIFT program aims to equip young people with the tools to become resilient citizens who are more actively engaged in their communities. The program hopes to enable them to contribute to a competitive labor force, sustained economic growth, improved governance, and vibrant civil societies.

The project, which is one of the solutions recommended by the World Bank, will be carried out in close collaboration with Morocco’s Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports and the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication.