COVID-19 Youth Relief Fund

Women’s Institute for Leadership Development (WILD) in partnership with Youth Invest hosted a Gender Advocacy e-meeting that was aimed at engaging the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation (MYSAR) and Bulawayo Ward 12 Councilor Lillian Mlilo on initiatives to cushion youth led businesses from the effects of the COVID-19 nationwide lockdown.

The advocacy meeting came after the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation announced Youth Relief Fund of ZWL$17 million. The MYSAR representative highlighted that the COVID-19 Youth Relief Fund of ZWL$17 million is aimed at supporting youth-led businesses and associations to mitigate the effects of COVID-19. The following were highlighted as requirements to accessing the fund:
 Organization/ business must be owned by Zimbabwean Youths and must have been in existence or operating for a period of at least six months before lockdown.
 Must demonstrate how the enterprise has been affected by COVID-19 pandemic.
 Enterprise must have a formal structure and comply with statutory requirements governing that sector.
 Youths should be aged between 18 years and 35 years.
 Show proof of place of operation such as a lease agreement.

Gender Champions pleaded with the Ministry to come up with more inclusive Youth relief programs that can cater for informal businesses.