"Meet one of our beneficiaries of the Youth Internship Programme (YIP), Demitriana Mendes. Demitriana is an alumna of YIP Batch I, organized by UNDP and SEFOPE. She is currently working as a Human Resources Assistant at Dili Development Company (DDC), Timor-Plaza. The Youth Internship Programme is an employment initiative implemented under the Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Skills (YEES) Project. Funded by KOICA, UNDP, and the Government of Timor-Leste, the programme helps recent university graduates gain practical work experience, strengthen their employability skills, and improve their access to the job market."

"Thanks to my involvement in the Youth Internship Programme, I managed to break through the tough job market in Timor-Leste right after graduation. Even though I faced silence from numerous job applications, I decided to dive into the internship opportunity. It turned out to be a game-changer, giving me not just valuable experience but also a boost in confidence. Eventually, I landed a role as Sales and Marketing of the Loan program at Mandiri Bank. This journey taught me the power of persistence and the importance of seizing opportunities, proving that they can pave the path to success."

"From 15–18 June 2026, 19 young participants (11 women and 8 men) strengthened their job readiness and employability skills through the Career Development Training. The training featured seven practical modules on self-assessment, career exploration, career goal setting, job search and application strategies, job interviews and testing, career development and growth, and managing career change and transformation, equipping participants with the skills and confidence to successfully enter the workforce. Implemented under the Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Skills (YEES) Project, UNDP Timor-Leste, in collaboration with Invest People (IP Timor) and supported by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Government of Timor-Leste (GoTL), this initiative helps young people build sustainable career pathways and improve their employment prospects."

"From 28–29 May to 1 June 2026, under the YEES Project, UNDP Timor-Leste, in collaboration with UNTL through the Office of the Vice-Rector for Student Affairs (GVRAE), successfully conducted a three-day Career Development Training for 24 finalist and recent graduate students (7 males and 17 females) from the Faculties of Education and Economics/Management. Through five practical modules, participants strengthened their skills in career planning, CV writing, networking, job search strategies, and interview preparation. As they prepare to transition from university into the workforce, the programme equipped young graduates with greater confidence and essential employability skills to pursue meaningful career opportunities. Implemented under the YEES Project and co-funded by KOICA, UNDP, and the Government of Timor-Leste (GoTL), this initiative strengthens youth potential and supports employment pathways for sustainable career opportunities."