LKDF - Learning and Knowledge Development Facility

21/04/2026

Behind every gender empowerment statistic is a real woman's story.

Across UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization's PPDP projects, women are stepping into industries where they have long been underrepresented—not just as participants, but as leaders, trainers and role models.

Today, on the International Day of Women in Industry, we celebrate the voices of women who are breaking barriers and reshaping the future of industry. These testimonials reflect a shift in what’s possible when barriers are removed and opportunities are created.



Zamita Zambia

Kitwe Vocational Training Centre
Youth Rising Liberia

01/04/2026

Zambia, Japan, Hitachi Construction Machinery Zambia Co., Limited (HCMZ), and UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization have jointly launched a modern Heavy Equipment Operator Training Workshop at Kitwe Vocational Training Centre—a major milestone for demand-driven skills development and youth employment.

The new facility expands training capacity, introduces advanced simulation equipment, and strengthens pathways to jobs in mining, construction, and infrastructure.

This partnership marks another step toward building a skilled, future-ready workforce in Zambia.

Read the full press release: https://lkdfacility.org/news/zambia-japan-hitachi-construction-machinery-and-unido-launch-modern-facility-to-boost-training-on-demand-driven-skills-and-youth-employment-opportunities
Learn more about the project: https://lkdfacility.org/projects/kvtc-heo-zambia

04/03/2026

25/02/2026

Inspired as a young girl in Kinshasa, Médi Rachidi chose a path few women pursued at the time: electromechanics.

For over a decade, she has trained young professionals, proving that technical excellence is defined by precision and skill—not gender.

Through UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization's project, Médi strengthened her expertise in heavy equipment maintenance and continues to mentor the next generation of technicians.

Her journey is a powerful reminder: investing in skills means investing in systems, opportunity, and lasting change.

Read Médi's story: https://www.unido.org/stories/breaking-glass-ceilings-and-tech-stereotypes
Learn more about the PAFEQ project: https://lkdfacility.org/projects/heavy-equipment-skills-dr-congo

11/02/2026

How can demand‑driven skills accelerate youth empowerment and industrial transformation?

Join us on 3 March 2026 (14:00–17:00 CET) for a high‑level event exploring how demand-driven skills development can accelerate youth empowerment, industrial transformation, and economic competitiveness.

🗓 3 March 2026 | 14:00–17:00 CET
Register now to join online: 204d1252-8fca-4a26-86bc-97122e2b9f57@426a4931-ec5c-4fcb-9d10-3363ebdf9280" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/204d1252-8fca-4a26-86bc-97122e2b9f57@426a4931-ec5c-4fcb-9d10-3363ebdf9280

Building on the UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization- Joint Declaration, this event brings together skills experts across international organizations, industry, government, and youth representatives.

Through engaging panels, skills talks, and fireside chats, speakers will:

· Highlight how demand‑driven skills empower young people and fuel competitiveness, innovation, and inclusive industrial growth

· Share practical insights, data-driven tools, and effective approaches from UNIDO and partner organizations to support demand-driven skills assessments and measure youth readiness

· Explore strategies to better align training with industry needs and engage the private sector in skills development initiatives that drive transformation

Be part of the conversation shaping the future of skills – and the future of industry!

26/01/2026

The LKDF works with partners to turn global frameworks into practical learning solutions: from capacity development and skills ecosystems to knowledge sharing that supports inclusive and sustainable industrial development.

We’re proud to align with UNIDO’s Framework and to contribute to building learning pathways that enable women and youth to participate meaningfully in industrial transformation and decent work.

07/01/2026

With over a third of Zambia’s population made up of youth, access to market-relevant skills is critical. Zamita Zambia is addressing this challenge by equipping young women and men with in-demand skills for the mining and transport sectors.

With strong support from Sida - Styrelsen för Internationellt Utvecklingssamarbete, through the Embassy of Sweden in Lusaka, and in partnership with UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the Government of Zambia, and the private sector, ZAMITA has:

🔹 Trained 1000+ students, with female enrollment rising from 1% to 15%
🔹 Established a modern Centre of Excellence at NORTEC
🔹 Strengthened industry linkages to boost employability and apprenticeships

ZAMITA is a clear example of how public–private partnerships can drive skills development, inclusion, and decent jobs for Zambia’s youth.

Learn more about ZAMITA here: https://lkdfacility.org/projects/zamita-zambia

Du bidrar till att unga utbildar sig och får arbete inom Zambias industri. Det sker genom ett samarbete med näringslivet och FN-organet UNIDO.

06/01/2026

At UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization’s Learning and Knowledge Development Facility (LKDF), we tackle inequality by closing the skills gap. Through Public-Private Development Partnerships (PPDP), we bring governments, industry and development partners together to deliver training that responds to real labour market needs.

By expanding access to quality skills, decent work and entrepreneurship—especially for youth, women and disadvantaged groups—LKDF helps ensure that economic growth is inclusive and shared.

12/12/2025

Sierra Leone’s nationally accredited Automotive and Entrepreneurship Training Materials – now available!

Developed under UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization’s Project for Promoting Youth Employment through Automotive Maintenance Skills Training in Sierra Leone, these training materials support the country’s first competency-based automotive training system.

Created in partnership with the National Council for Technical, Vocational and Other Academic Awards (NCTVA) and funded by the Government of Japan, these training materials include 5 levels of automotive maintenance training and 11 entrepreneurship modules.

With a strong focus on youth, women, and disadvantaged learners, the materials combine technical skills, safety, diagnostics, customer service, and business development.

Access the training materials here: https://lkdfacility.org/resources?taxonomy%5Brestype%5D%5B%5D=Curricula&page=1

Learn more about the project here: https://lkdfacility.org/projects/automotive-skills-sierra-leone

05/12/2025

UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization, in partnership with Tetra Pak, and with funding from the Embassy of Sweden in Nairobi, has officially handed over 19 electric motorbikes to the Githunguri Dairy Farmers Cooperative Society (GDFCS) under the Pathways to Profitable Dairy Farming (Maziwa Faida) project.

The e-motorbikes will boost dairy extension services, enabling the 19 newly recruited Dairy Extension Officers (DEOs) to reach more farmers quickly and efficiently—cutting the farmer-to-extension officer ratio from 700:1 to 350:1, and allowing for more personalized and timely farmer support.

“This investment reflects our commitment to modernizing Kenya’s dairy sector through innovation, sustainability, and strong public–private–development partnerships,” – Maina Karuiru, UNIDO National Project Coordinator

“The DEOs have already been trained and will now be able to apply that knowledge and expertise to make impact in the dairy sector,” – Michael Van Den Berg, Project Manager, Dairy Development, Tetrapak Food for Development.

“Mobility is a key factor of production which saves both money and time. With efficient mobility, we now look forward to seeing positive results,”– John Ndichu

36 DEOs have also received laptops and been trained on the Rumen8 feed formulation tool, strengthening digital record-keeping and supporting faster, data-driven decision-making.

This milestone underscores a strong commitment to innovation, sustainability, clean energy, and digital transformation in Kenya’s dairy sector.

Learn more about the Pathways to Profitable Dairy Farming (Maziwa Faida) project here: https://lkdfacility.org/projects/pathways-to-profitable-dairy-farming-kenya

UNIDO in Kenya

04/12/2025

Growing demand for skilled technicians in the DRC’s mining and industrial sectors is creating new opportunities for young people.

Watch this video of UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs Felipe Paullier's visit to UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization’s PAFEQ project, the first visit of a UN Youth portfolio leader to a UNIDO skills initiative.

Read more about the visit here: https://lkdfacility.org/news/un-assistant-secretary-general-for-youth-visits-unidos-pafeq-project-in-the-drc-advancing-skills-development-and-responsible-industrial-transformation

Find out more about the PAFEQ project here: https://lkdfacility.org/projects/heavy-equipment-skills-dr-congo