RISEE – Ready for Inclusive Sustainable Employment/Entrepreneurship for Youth with Disabilities

CHIP, in partnership with Sightsavers and Standard Chartered Foundation, is implementing the Ready for Inclusive Sustainable Employment/Entrepreneurship (RISEE) project from April 2024 to March 2027 across Pakistan. The initiative aims to equip youth with disabilities with the skills, confidence, and opportunities needed to access and sustain decent employment, whether waged or self-employment. RISEE works on four key fronts: enhancing the self-confidence and employment readiness of young people with disabilities; building employers’ disability confidence to foster inclusive workplaces; strengthening the capacities of key labour market functions to support greater inclusion; and improving the regulatory framework to incentivize inclusion and ensure accountability. The project targets 960 youth with disabilities, with at least 50% participation by women, and aims for a minimum 40% transition into sustainable employment.
Since its inception, RISEE has made significant strides in empowering youth with disabilities. Many participants are actively engaged in technical and employability skills programs, while tailored mentorship initiatives are supporting their personal and professional growth. Partnerships with vocational training institutes and industry representatives are creating new pathways for inclusive employment. Key initiatives have included disability inclusion and safeguarding orientations, sign language training for institute staff, and safeguarding sessions conducted across multiple locations such as Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Rawalpindi Chitral, and other regions. These efforts not only enhance individual capacities but also contribute to building more inclusive structures within the labour market. RISEE continues to open doors for empowerment, resilience, and dignified livelihoods for youth with disabilities throughout Pakistan.