The FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Phase II Program, Second Chance Pathways for increased access to tertiary education for marginalized young women and men, is a 7-year program (2024-2030) being implemented in 10 Countries across Africa (Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, Malawi, Ghana, Liberia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, and Senegal). The program aims to support 10,550 young people aged 15–25 years from the most marginalized communities with a specific focus on young people with disability and refugees (10-15%) who have completed secondary education, to transit into tertiary education and later entrepreneurship (self-employment) and/or employment. 

FAWE’s overall approach is “innovation to create pathways for increasing access to tertiary education, skilling and dignified work for young female and male graduates of secondary education in Africa”. This aligns with the Mastercard Foundation’s Education and Transitions Programming Framework, which builds on the Young Africa Works strategy, with a vision of enabling 30 million young people, particularly women, to secure employment that they see as dignified and fulfilling by 2030.  

The specific objectives of the program include: 

  1. Increased opportunities for 10,550 young people from marginalized communities to develop relevant market skills and innovations through tertiary education.  
  1. Bridging program opportunities introduced in 7 additional countries with 518 accredited partner institutions to increase access to education.  
  1. Institutions of higher learning increase the allocation of slots for bridging learners transitioning to degree programs.   
  1. Increased gender responsive curriculum and models of teaching in tertiary institutions that respond to the labor market. 
  1. Adoption of gender responsive programming, policies, and guidelines by partner tertiary institutions, community members, parents, and students.  
  1. 1,240 young entrepreneurs supported through training and start-up grants to build thriving businesses creating employment and driving development in their communities and nations.