DEED has awarded a $1.3 million funding appropriation for East African Community Economic Development and Workforce programs to provide Minnesota’s young East African community members with workforce development training opportunities during the 2020-2021 state fiscal year. We know Minnesota’s East African community contributes to Minnesota’s economic vitality. These programs are intended to alleviate barriers to employment and economic success for East African youth in Minnesota.

Helping young people achieve economic and employment success is critical for the future of our state. We are pleased to partner with Youthprise, which is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to reduce disparities with and for Minnesota youth. Youthprise will administer $1 million through an RFP process to organizations serving East African youth. Additionally, Hennepin County will administer $300,000 and will partner with the East African community to provide workforce training to East African youth. We are looking forward to working closely with our partners to deliver critically needed economic and workforce services to Minnesota’s East African community.