Environmental Career Development

Building Pathways to Green Skills, Careers, and Leadership

Project Overview

The Networking & Career Development project aims to strengthen youth employability, professional growth, and leadership in the environmental sector by facilitating access to skills development, mentorship, and professional networks.

Implemented by Ethiopian Youth Environmental Awareness (EYEA), the project responds to the growing demand for green skills and meaningful employment opportunities linked to environmental protection, climate action, and sustainable development. Many young people face barriers to entering the environmental sector due to limited access to training, guidance, and professional networks. This project seeks to bridge that gap.

Through targeted training, mentorship programmes, and networking opportunities, the project supports young people in building career pathways that contribute to sustainable development and green economies.

Objectives

The project seeks to achieve the following objectives:

• Strengthen youth skills and employability in environmental and sustainability-related fields

• Facilitate access to mentorship, career guidance, and professional support

• Support pathways to green jobs, internships, volunteering, and entrepreneurship

• Promote youth leadership and professional development in environmental action

• Build connections between young people and organisations working on sustainability

  
  

Core Components

Skills Development and Training

The project delivers training and capacity-building activities focused on:

• Green skills and environmental knowledge

• Project planning, management, and reporting

• Communication, teamwork, and leadership

• Professional development and career readiness

These trainings equip participants with practical competencies relevant to the environmental sector.

Mentorship and Career Guidance

Structured mentorship opportunities connect young people with professionals and practitioners working in:

• Environmental protection

• Climate action and sustainability

• Development and policy-related fields

Mentorship provides guidance on career choices, professional development, and pathways into green employment.

Networking Opportunities

The project facilitates networking through:

• Career events and workshops

• Peer-to-peer exchanges and learning spaces

• Connections with organisations, institutions, and initiatives active in environmental action

These platforms help young people expand their professional networks and access opportunities.

Strategies and Approach

The Networking & Career Development project applies inclusive and practical approaches, including:

• Capacity building through targeted and needs-based training

• Peer learning and knowledge sharing

• Mentorship and coaching relationships

• Collaboration with partners, institutions, and professionals

• Promotion of youth participation in professional and sectoral networks

These strategies ensure that young people are equipped to pursue meaningful and sustainable career pathways.

Target Groups and Geographic Focus

• Target groups:

  • Youth and students

  • Young professionals and early-career practitioners

• Geographic focus:

  • Urban and peri-urban areas in Ethiopia

  • Linkages with regional and international networks

• Project status:

  • Ongoing

    
    

Expected Impact

Through this project, EYEA aims to:

• Improve youth access to green skills and employment opportunities

• Strengthen youth confidence and professional capacity

• Support the growth of a skilled and motivated environmental workforce

• Foster long-term youth engagement in sustainability and climate action

• Contribute to inclusive and sustainable economic development

  
  

How to Get Involved

Individuals and organisations can support the Networking & Career Development project by:

• Participating as mentors, trainers, or speakers

• Supporting networking and career development events

• Providing internships, volunteering opportunities, or professional guidance

• Offering financial or in-kind contributions

• Partnering with EYEA on youth career development initiatives

  
  

Join Us

By supporting the Networking & Career Development project, you help equip young people with the skills, confidence, and connections needed to build careers that contribute to environmental sustainability.

Together, we can support youth in shaping a greener, more inclusive future.