Tackling Mental Health in the Workplace

By jaafarali

In the UK, 1 in 6 workers experience depression, anxiety or stress-related problems, and 30% of the workforce will be formally diagnosed with a mental health condition during their lifetime. The jarring effects of COVID-19 have displaced the ‘norm’ of working life and brought long-overdue attention to mental health. In the coming months, people will continue to face serious…

Digital Skills are Key to Youth Unemployment in Nigeria

By jaafarali

In Nigeria, 55% of the youth population is either underemployed or unemployed, in large part due to a mismatch between the job market and the skills youth are trained in. Practical, digital, and entrepreneurial skills that would better prepare youth for future (self-)employment are all lacking in the current education system. In fact, Nigerian graduates…

Personalising Support for the Long-Term Unemployed: Can Digital Do the Job?

By jaafarali

Long-term unemployment is set to rise significantly in the UK in the post-COVID period. This has serious consequences. The long-term unemployed – those who’ve been out of work for more than six months – tend to have lower overall well-being, be in poorer health, and earn less once they find jobs. Communities with high levels…

A business accelerator aimed at girls’ empowerment

By jaafarali

SPRING is a business accelerator programme that supports fledgling enterprises to create products and services that will help adolescent girls generate income through safe sources; enjoy greater safety and well-being; remain in school and/or continue learning; and increase their savings. Funded by DFID, USAID, and DFAT, SPRING contributes to girls’ empowerment by helping businesses explore,…

Mainstreaming Development: Could the FCDO be a Good Thing?

By jaafarali

Photo Credit: Rich Taylor, DFID The announcement that the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) would be merged with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and a new department created was long expected, albeit with some trepidation, by many in the development community. Whilst it’s not yet clear what this change may mean, it does…