Challenge

The PPR Youth Livelihood and Leadership Development Programme (PPRYLLD) is designed to address the significant challenges faced by the youth within PPR communities, particularly accentuated by the COVID-19 pandemic. These challenges include the digital divide, high rates of unemployment, and a critical need for entrepreneurial skills among the disadvantaged youth. The initiative recognizes the restricted access to essential resources as a primary barrier preventing these young individuals from escaping poverty and participating effectively in the digital economy. Through a comprehensive approach grounded in the research methodology inspired by Krejcie and Morgan for sample size determination, the program conducts an extensive quantitative baseline study aiming to engage with around 370 - 375 respondents from a broader demographic of 12,000 individuals. This is augmented by qualitative analyses through focus groups and interviews with 70 respondents, supported by 80 youth co-researchers, to obtain a nuanced understanding of socio-economic conditions, health and wellness, and the quality of life and services within the PPR Lembah Subang community.

The program's research reveals alarming insights: only 19% of the community members express satisfaction with their living conditions, while a notable portion neglects regular health check-ups, indicating a disregard for health and wellness. Economic conditions appear dire, with 28% reporting a lack of employment opportunities within their vicinity. Concerns over service quality and infrastructure, such as facility maintenance and parking systems, are raised by 42% and 41% of respondents, respectively, pointing to a need for infrastructural improvement and better services. Furthermore, the prevalence of sexual harassment, as reported by over half of the respondents, highlights significant safety and social relationship challenges within the community. Armed with this data, PPRYLLD aims to equip the youth with the skills and opportunities necessary to address these multifaceted challenges, aiming for their economic betterment, improved well-being, and an enhanced standard of living within their communities.

Approach

The PPR Youth Livelihood and Leadership Development Programme, supported by Yayasan Hasanah and implemented by Mereka Innovative Education, is strategically designed to empower the B40 youth within PPR communities by bridging the digital and socioeconomic divides. This robust initiative incorporates comprehensive learning workshops, e-learning platforms focusing on digital literacy, facilitating real-world application bootcamp, and offers ongoing mentorship from experts. By focusing on essential digital and entrepreneurial skills, the programme effectively prepares participants to navigate and succeed in the digital economy.

Program Highlights:

• Three-Phase Mastery: Begins with a baseline study and focus group sessions to understand community needs, followed by digital literacy courses and entrepreneurship accelerators, concluding with comprehensive mentorship for real-world application.
• Strategic Curriculum: Combines digital literacy tracks with entrepreneurship and youth leadership development accelerators, tailoring content to foster problem-solving, decisiveness, and accountability among participants.
• Extended Support: The initiative emphasizes mentorship, providing participants with access to a wide network, resources, and community-centric projects, encouraging sustainable socio-economic development within their communities.

Goals & Results

Strategic Goals Achieved

• Youth Empowerment: Targeted empowerment for youths in PPR Lembah Subang and PPR Batu Muda through new-age knowledge, 21st-century skills, and digital tools, equipping them for future livelihoods.
• Community Insight: Enabled 80 youths to conduct baseline studies and focus groups, identifying key community issues across diverse spectrums such as education, employment, and safety.
• Entrepreneurial Development: 80 youths participated in an Entrepreneurship Accelerator, cultivating entrepreneurial mindsets, with 20 venture ideas developed for Pitch Day and 10 winning ideas receiving RM 10,000 seed funding and mentorship.
• Leadership Enhancement: Through the Youth Leadership Development Accelerator, 80 youths initiated 10 socio-economic projects for community improvement.
• Sustainable Engagement: Program review and leadership training for sustained digital literacy, business mentorship, and community leadership post-program.

Success Metrics

• Widespread Impact: Over 300 youths trained in Digital Literacy, Youth Leadership, & Entrepreneurship across PPR Lembah Subang & PPR Batu Muda.
• Community Engagement: 480 community members involved in research, impacting an estimated 12,000 individuals directly and indirectly.
• Resource Mobilization: Generated over RM 61k through volunteering, crowdfunding, and sponsorship, with RM 160k in seed funding for projects and entrepreneurship programs.
• Economic Contribution: The 10 enterprises produced a cumulative profit exceeding RM 149k.