BASSMA is launching an innovative capacity development program aimed at strengthening the role of young people in Lebanese society. This project is sponsored by the World Bank through the Youth Innovation Fund.

Moving into adulthood is a difficult period of life, particularly for young people, who have to cope with enormous changes and make strategic decisions that will potentially affect their future. Entering professional life can be very challenging, especially for individuals who grew up under difficult circumstances.
BASSMA has committed to assist this group in their journey into adulthood and into the labor force. With the guidance of experienced trainers, they will discover the scope of their personal and professional skills, build on their strengths, and acquire the skills necessary for a successful career.
How does one define success on a private and personal level? How does one set off in the right direction to attain a goal?
The sooner in life these topics are addressed, the more useful they can be for the participants, to give them a head start and a foundation for a strong future. Our “Personal Skills Development” course will provide the young women who partake with the means to embrace the future while having a greater understanding of their place in the world.

The program’s first cycle is initially focusing on a critical group: 100 young women on the verge of adulthood, financially disadvantaged, or women who were abused or battered and are looking for positive change. They are recruited from BASSMA’s families, YWCA, Dar el Amal and CFU.
This target is an important one, as 64% of the unemployed in Lebanon are between ages 15 and 29 (CAS). "Women have less access to social networks to aid in job search, sectoral and occupational information and lower access to training opportunities" ("The economic Participation of Adolescent Girls and Young Women: Why does it Matter", WB 08).

At the completion of the first session, we will be expanding the training course to cover other target groups. The six week free of charge course will encourage women to be aware of their options, and build skills which can be applied to any setting, be it academic or professional.