Creating employment opportunities for youth in the heritage sector is a transformative initiative that not only preserves historic cities during times of crisis but also generates income and revives traditional construction skills that have faded under the pressure of modern building practices.

Implemented by the Public Works Project in partnership with UNESCO and funded by the European Union, the “Youth Employment in Yemen through Heritage and Culture” initiative provided a total of 28,000 workdays across four historic cities in 2024. The distribution of workdays included:
• 6,800 workdays in the Old City of Sana’a
• 3,000 workdays in Crater-Aden
• 5,350 workdays in Shibam, Hadramout
• 12,621 workdays in Zabid
This initiative not only contributed to the preservation of cultural heritage but also empowered youth with practical skills, supported local economies, and reinforced community resilience in the face of ongoing economic and environmental challenges.