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Enhancing Youth Participation in Small-Scale Solar Energy Projects in Aden Governorate

Sanaa and her colleagues during training on installing solar energy systems, Aden. Photo credit: Bassam Saleh/CARE

Sanaa and her colleagues during training on installing solar energy systems, Aden. Photo credit: Bassam Saleh/CARE

In Aden Governorate, Yemen, residents are increasingly turning to photovoltaic (PV) solar energy technology to meet their electricity needs, particularly during the hot summer months. However, many solar systems remain inefficient due to a lack of knowledge and experience, often resulting in breakdowns, battery damage, and frustration for their owners.

With funding from the European Union (EU) and in partnership with CARE, Fikr Development Foundation implemented the “Youth Energy” project aiming to empower young people by equipping them with the skills needed to select and install decentralized solar energy systems. This initiative not only helps them generate a stable income but also provides valuable professional skills while promoting accessible and affordable solar energy.

As part of the project, a comprehensive 15-day training program (six hours per day) has been developed for 20 trainees (10 males and 10 females) focusing on the design, installation, and maintenance of battery-powered PV solar energy systems. Each participant gains hands-on experience with PV modules, batteries, controllers, and inverters. At the end of the training, the trainees received a complete kit containing electrical wiring maintenance tools.

“The project aims to provide economic empowerment, enhance job opportunities for twenty young men and women in the field of electricity and solar energy, and launch an electronic application that offers home maintenance services to all categories of workers,” says Dalal Ali, director of the Foundation.

This project represents a significant step toward empowering young graduates with the professional skills necessary for securing employment or starting their own businesses. By harnessing renewable energy solutions, the project addresses immediate energy needs while fostering resilience and creating long-term economic opportunities for young women and their communities.

Sanaa and her colleagues attend the training on installing solar energy systems, Aden. Photo credit: Bassam Saleh/CARE

“Participating in this training makes me incredibly proud. It has always been my dream to help people by finding sustainable energy solutions and generating income to support myself and my family,” says Sanaa, a 24-year-old trainee. Despite the challenges posed by a male-dominated field, Sanaa felt a strong sense of responsibility to act. “I realized how much people in my area, especially women, were suffering. I decided to overcome social and cultural barriers, participate in the training, and enter this field.”

Mohammed and his friend attend the training on installing solar energy systems, Aden. Photo credit: Bassam Saleh/CARE

Another trainee, Mohammed Ali, who is 26 years old and a university graduate, sought ways to improve his living conditions. “After graduation, I struggled to find work due to my lack of practical experience, which left me feeling frustrated,” he shares. The project has provided Mohammed and many other young individuals with the skills necessary to enter the job market.

“My belief in clean energy solutions and their potential to address many societal issues motivated me to pursue this profession. After participating in the training, I now possess the knowledge needed to succeed in this field,” explains Mohammed. “Men and women from my area seek my advice on improving their living conditions through solar energy to power their homes. This reflects the positive change I feel as I help others and earn their trust.”

Overall, the Enhancing the Civic Space for Inclusive Development – Empowering Civil Society Organizations project has built the institutional capacity of more than 34 non-governmental organizations (NGO) in the Aden Governorate. Among these, 20 organizations were awarded grants totaling approximately US$20,000 each, enabling them to continue their support and expand their efforts, including training programmes designed to equip young graduates with practical, market-relevant skills, fostering pathways to employment and empowering them to launch their own small-scale enterprises.

Trainers receive instruction in electrical wiring and solar energy system installation. Photo: Bassam Saleh/Aden
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