A study of accessibility to youth development fund among youths in Mongu district of western province, Zambia.

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Date
2022-07-18
Authors
Mbewe, Taison Azele
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Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to establish accessibility to Youth Development Fund (YDF) among youths in Mongu District of Western Province, Zambia. The objectives that guided this study were; to establish conditions and nature attached to loans given to youths in the study area, to assess the factors influencing accessing and repayments of loans among the youths in the study area and to suggest measures to improve the access and repayments of the loans in the study area. The study employed a case study design which involved only qualitative method. Purposive sampling techniques was used to come up with 18 respondents, that is, 6 YDF beneficiaries, 6 non- YDF beneficiaries and 6 government officials at district, province and national levels. Data was collected through an interview guide and analysed using thematic method.The study focused on inaccessibility to YDF among the youths in Mongu District of Western Province, Zambia. It looked at the nature of the YDF loans and subsequently, the factors which influenced accessibility of loans among youths. The study revealed that youths received payable and cash loans depending on nature of their business. It was also evident from the study that, youths were mainly engaged in hardware, farming and grocery related businesses. Several challenges surrounding youth projects, however, were cited as lack of viable business plans, lack of knowledge and skills in running businesses and negative attitudes towards repayment of loans which negatively affected access to more funds to support their projects. The study made the following recommendations: The MYSCD to regularly conduct vigorous sensitization campaign on Youth Development Funds for orientation and training of youths in running projects before funds are given and constantly conduct business support services in support of the funded projects. The youths should do a market research before they can venture into any funded business to protect themselves from undue business failure and or competition.
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Keywords
Youth in development--Zambia. , Youth--Zambia--Economic conditions.
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