The three-year pilot project is a collaborative initiative between the Government of Aotearoa New Zealand, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (NZMFAT), and the Pacific Community (SPC) through its Human Rights and Social Development (HRSD) Division.  

The PYEEEP project is underpinned by the notions of human rights, social inclusion, theory of change and a people-centred approach, which places people and their environment at the centre of development planning, implementation, decisions, monitoring and reporting. 

This pilot project is currently being implemented in Tonga and the Solomon Islands with the intention of expanding it to other Pacific Island Countries. 

Project aims: 

• Provide support to improve the situation of youth NEET across the Pacific who remain excluded from mainstream development efforts. 
• Strengthen national systems and youth machineries to supplement conventional approaches within the formal education system and provide alternative pathways to decent work and meaningful engagement in society. 
• Support Pacific Island governments to establish inclusive services that empower, engage and employ young people, particularly those who have fallen out of education. 

A unique feature of the PYEEEP project is its focus on developing contextualised pathways that support eligible young people into opportunities of learning and employment. 
The PYEEEP project recognises the value of stakeholder ownership and collaboration that fosters sustainable partnerships between the government, NGOs and the private sector ensuring each pilot country utilises tailored pathways and engages its young people as valuable contributors to the national economy.  

This project improves equity with an approach that sets out to empower and upskill selected youth NEET with formal training, skills-building sessions and tailored work experience opportunities. The youth participants are provided additional training and capacity building in topics including financial literacy, human rights, gender equality and social inclusion and work readiness skills.  this is intended to build knowledge and independence promoting strength and resilience amongst Pacific Islander youth. 

In Tonga, SPC is partnering with the Ministry of Internal Affairs Youth Development Division to deliver the project. Other partners include Tonga National Youth Congress, Tupou Tertiary Institute, Ahopanilolo Technical Institute, Tonga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Trade and Economic Development.  

In the Solomon Islands, SPC is partnering with the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA). Other partners include: 
The Solomon Islands National Youth Congress, The Honiara City Council, The Kaotave Rural Training Centre, and Mary Mazzarello Development Centre.