Joint International Economics - UNU-CRIS Seminar by Charlotte Scheerens on Empowering Youth in Ziguinchor: an Informational Workshop to Enhance Local Employability and Motivation

The seminar by Charlotte Scheerens (UGhent and UNU-CRIS) will take place on Friday, 20/06, between 09h00 and 10h00 in Classroom 1.4, Hoveniersberg 1st floor, and will be livestreamed via MS Teams..

Abstract. This project is developing and evaluating the impact of a one-day workshop designed to improve employability perceptions, job-seeking behaviors, and mental well-being among young adults in Ziguinchor, Senegal—particularly those with unfulfilled migration aspirations.

Using a randomized design with varied invitation strategies, the study first examines whether the mode of invitation affects attendance and engagement. All participants, regardless of how they are invited, receive the same training during the workshop. The program is modular, covering local economic opportunities, goal-setting, resilience and mental well-being, and proactive job search strategies.

To assess the intervention's effectiveness, we will conduct pre- and post-workshop evaluations focused on changes in how participants perceive local opportunities. Additionally, a mid-term impact assessment will be carried out through the second wave of the Pathways survey to measure both immediate and sustained outcomes.

In this seminar, I will present the workshop structure and planned measurement tools—recognizing that they are still in development—in the hopes of receiving constructive feedback as we finalize the intervention design in the next months.

This is a closed event. For further information, please contact Pascale Vantorre at pvantorre@cris.unu.edu