Youth, Women, Livelihoods & Inclusive Community Development

Cities and towns often expand without matching growth in decent employment or essential services, leaving many low-income residents in insecure livelihoods. Young people are particularly affected, facing barriers to skills development, employment, entrepreneurship and meaningful participation in the decisions that shape their communities.

Through this programme, UPC works with young people, women, low-income communities, local governments and development partners to develop and implement research-informed, innovative and locally grounded solutions that strengthen livelihoods and expand opportunities for inclusive local economic development.

The programme promotes youth empowerment, skills and entrepreneurship, community-led initiatives, social inclusion, civic participation and livelihood resilience, with particular attention to women and to the other groups most often left out of urban development processes.

UPC combines research, community engagement, capacity strengthening, innovation and practical demonstration to identify what works and translate evidence into scalable interventions. We support communities and young people to become active agents of change, while strengthening local institutions and partnerships to create an enabling environment for sustainable livelihoods and inclusive development.

The programme works towards communities where young people, women and vulnerable urban residents can earn a decent livelihood, shape local development and build a more secure future.