The NYOTA project consists of four key interventions:

• Improving youth employability through: Social Emotional Skills development, apprenticeship, Recognition of Prior Learning, Certification, job intermediation and childcare support for young mothers.
• Expanding employment opportunities through: Business Development Services, Business Start-up capital, and Result Based Financing in partnership with social enterprises.
• Savings Promotion: Encouraging youth to save through the NSSF Haba Haba saving scheme.
• Project Management and Institutional Support: Enhancing project implementation, resource allocation, digital skilling, and collaboration with County Governments to invest in youth employment.

NYOTA helps participants by:

·       Improving their employability

·       Increasing their earnings

·       Encouraging a saving culture through the NSSF Haba Haba savings plan

·       Equipping them with skills to run profitable businesses

·       Provision of business start-up capital to selected beneficiaries

·       Enhancing their marketability in the workforce

At the national level, NYOTA contributes to economic growth by developing youth skills, creating job opportunities, supporting youth enterprises, and fostering financial independence.

To qualify, an applicant must:

·       Be a Kenyan citizen with a National ID.

·       Be aged between 18 and 29 years

·       Be between 18 and 35 years for youth with disability (MUST be registered by the National Council for Persons with Disability - NCPWD).

·       Have an education level not exceeding Form Four or none

·       Not be enrolled in school or college or planning to join within the next 8 months

·       Be available for the next 8 months after application

·       Have a SIM card registered in your name and a National ID card.

·       Not have been a beneficiary of Kenya Youth Employment and Opportunities Project (KYEOP).

NOTE: The NYOTA project is completely free. Applicants are not required to pay any fees.

The NYOTA project will be implemented across all the 47 counties in Cycles. Cycle 1 will primarily focus on Entrepreneurship Support i.e, Social Emotional, and Business Skills training, business start-up capital, and mentorship. Subsequent cycles will expand to include other program components.

1. The Apprenticeship Program provides youth with hands-on skills transfer and work experience in their chosen trade. Participants are attached to master craftsmen and employers to gain skills that will improve their employability.

2. Entrepreneurship Support includes, Social Emotional and Business Skills training, business start-up or expansion capital, and mentorship. Additionally, supporting hard-to-serve youth through partnering with social enterprises that provide entrepreneurship training and business kits.

Applications to be submitted through a USSD Code *254# then select the NYOTA Project option to proceed. Youth who need to be assisted with the application process should visit the County or Sub-County offices of the State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy (SDYACE) or the Micro Small Enterprise Authority (MSEA) County Offices near you.

1. Selection is conducted through a computerized randomization process to ensure fairness and transparency.

2. Successful applicants will receive an official NYOTA SMS notification with further instructions on the next steps.

3. Unsuccessful applicants can reapply during the next call for applications if they are not selected. 

N/B: Participants who drop out without valid reasons may be ineligible for future NYOTA opportunities.

The project is FREE. An applicant is not required to pay any fee or service charge to be enrolled in to the project.

• Website: www.nyotaproject.go.ke
• Twitter: @NYOTA_Kenya
• Facebook: NYOTA Project Kenya
• Instagram: @NYOTA_Kenya
• LinkedIn: NYOTA Kenya
• YouTube: NYOTA Kenya
• Youth Development Offices at county and sub-county levels
• Micro and Small Enterprise Authority Offices at the county level
• Media (print and broadcast)
• Physical Address: Bruce House, 3rd Floor – North Wing
• Email: info@nyotaproject.go.ke 
• Toll-free line: 0800222221