Belia Memimpin
Belia Memimpin is a youth empowerment programme that aims to empower young people from Desa Mentari and Lembah Subang, particularly teenagers and school leavers, with essential skills and knowledge to uplift themselves from poverty while also fostering economic growth and resilience at the community level. After attending a series of workshops, participants are given 6 months to run a project of their choosing in their community.
Our hope is to develop in participants a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurial skills by helping them to harness the power of digital technology, allowing them to succeed in the 21st century. This programme is run in collaboration with Sama-sama Membina Malaysia, which is a community building workshop that encourages individuals to get to know, understand and challenge existing stereotypes about each other in a safe space.
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This programme started in August 2024 with a workshop in Trolak, Perak in which the youth learnt about leadership skills and how to work together to empower change. A follow up workshop was held in September 2024 in Eco Venture Park, Semenyih that focused on helping the youth start, run and sustain their respective community projects. Armed a small grant by Martabat PJ, participants will continue to work on their respective community projects for the next 6 months and will attend regular follow up sessions.
Background
In Malaysia, youth is defined within the ages of 15 to 30, which covers 9.9 million of the total Malaysian population. Post pandemic challenges, social and structural stemming from low-quality education, skills mismatches, and low-quality, low paying or 3D (dangerous, dirty and difficult) have caused unemployement rates among the youth to increase from 295,300 youths in January 2023 to 310,700 people just a few months later in April 2023. From our organisation’s experience helping young people witness various causes which manifest in the form of poor communication, economic pressure in families and lack of exposure. We see the youth as leaders and we want them to feel listened to, be a part of their communities, and be ready to make a change through skills development opportunities. Our mission is to support young people aged 18-21 to enrich their skills, reach their full potential, and influence change. Martabat PJ intends to consult with youth, ages 18 – 25 years to understand their key challenges as well as to present to them with viable alternatives, allowing them to chart their future and to develop healthy living. Special focus will be given to open up opportunities and learnings regarding cybersecurity and to gain digital skills and knowledge for those wanting to pursue career in digital economy and/or to digitise existing small businesses.
OUR TARGET GROUP
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Methodology
Programmes to increase economic choices and opportunities for low-income communities
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Economic mapping and consultation with interested youth on how to improve their skills and/or develop their business/job.
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Sessions will also be conducted to boost confidence and encourage the youth to plan their future so as not to fall back into the cycle of poverty.
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During the training, small grants will be awarded to groups with creative social enterprise projects or community social projects. A showcase of their projects will be held at the end of the programme.
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