The Alliance NEO Paraguay was launched with the presence of leaders of different sectors 

The ambitious initiative Neo Paraguay,  was presented in the Paraguayan Industrial Union (UIP). The meeting gathered  important local figures, such as the Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security, the Minister of the National Secretariat of Youth, representatives of the business sector and of the civil society.

The director of the Centre of Maritime and Fluvial Ship-owners of Paraguay, Juan Carlos Muñoz, represented the UIP and was the host of the event. He pointed out the importance of training for employment and formalization.

Olaf Von Brandenstein, Director at Kolping Paraguay, was the speaker who represented civil society. He explained that NEO Paraguay is part of NEO, a regional initiative created by the Multilateral Investment Fund (FOMIN).

The NEO project will provide support in coordinating and articulating the joint efforts made by public sector institutions, private sector companies and civil society organizations. The main goal is to enroll 4.500 persons, to achieve 50% work placements and, in the long term, to reach 22.000 people.

The IDB representative in Paraguay, Eduardo Marques de Almeida, talked about young people’s reality. In Latin America, over half the people old enough to work are between 15 and 35 years old. He stated that there are 150 million people aged between 15 and 29 years old. 50 million of them are in a risky situation and 32 million are considered Neets (neither in employment, education, nor training). However, there are many youngsters looking for a job and several companies are in need of young people to fill vacancies. Marques de Almeida explained that NEO’s role is to train young people so they can get a job, but also to understand the needs of companies in terms of human capital.

“If we use NEO to provide traditional solutions and just focus on putting young people to work, it is not going to work. We must look for other solutions. It is not just about training. We need to look for different and innovative solutions”, stated Marques de Almeida.

Marcelo Soto, Secretary of Youth, said he was pleased to witness the launching of NEO Paraguay. He expressed that the public-private articulation management model of NEO  is suitable to cash the demographic bonus that Paraguay has. He said that the country’s demographic bonus is one of the most appealing aspects it has for companies. Nevertheless, he added that if clear public policies linked to youth employment are not implemented immediately, the bonus may become a strong demographic burden.

The Minister of Labour, Guillermo Sosa, valued the NEO initiative and said that joint efforts are being made among the private sector, the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Youth and the Ministry of Education.

Paraguay NEO Alliance is integrated by 21 members, including representatives of public sector institutions, private sector companies and civil society organizations.

The public sector institutions involved are: the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, Ministry MIPYMES/MIC, National Service of Professional Promotion (SNPP), National System of Labour Training (SINAFOCAL), Technical Secretariat of Planning, National Direction of Permanent Education, National Secretariat of Tourism and the Government of the Central Department.

The private sector organizations that participate of the alliance are the Paraguayan Industrial Union, McDonald’s Paraguay, Microsoft, Luminotecnia and Buscojobs.

Finally, the following institutions of the civil society take part of the project: Foundation of the Paraguayan American Chamber of Trade (AMCHAM), Foundation KOLPING Paraguay, Foundation Solidarity, Foundation CIRD, Paraguayan Foundation, Foundation Saraki, and Centre of Intelligence Development – CDI.