Youth

Youth is the cornerstone of any nation’s progress. In the Kingdom of Bahrain, this belief translates into a strategic national commitment. The Government of Bahrain’s Youth Strategy is dedicated to nurturing its young generation, empowering them to become tomorrow’s leaders and innovators. Through a combination of forward-thinking initiatives, robust support mechanisms, and an enabling environment, Bahrain continues to invest in its youth, ensuring they are equipped with essential skills and opportunities to drive national prosperity.

Strategic Investment in Youth

Bahrain’s leadership recognizes the youth as drivers of the economy and the architects of the nation’s future. The government’s approach encompasses a diverse range of initiatives focused on equipping young people with knowledge, skills, and innovative capabilities to thrive in a dynamic global environment. From fostering entrepreneurship to providing access to advanced technology, comprehensive career guidance, and mentorship opportunities, Bahrain’s commitment towards the youth is clear: Empower their potentials, enable them to meet their challenges, and recognize their achievements.

Supporting Youth Entrepreneurship

A hallmark of Bahrain’s youth policy is its robust support for entrepreneurship. The Government of Bahrain continues to champion forward-thinking initiatives that empower young people to pursue entrepreneurial paths, develop their professional skills, and build the capabilities needed to thrive amidst global challenges. These efforts reflect a national commitment to fostering a generation of innovative, resilient, and future-ready leaders.

Hope Fund is a visionary initiative established by His Majesty the King of Bahrain to empower Bahraini youth by supporting their entrepreneurial projects and helping them establish businesses that serve their communities and improve their livelihoods. Through its two key arms, Hope Ventures and Hope Talents, the program reflects a national commitment to unlocking youth potential and fostering sustainable economic impact.

Youth empowerment is further supported through the youth enabling initiatives such as “Beban”,a unique entrepreneurship television contest providing young innovators with a stage to present and develop their business ideas with the support of leading investors.

The Ministry of Labour serves a pivotal role in empowering youth with key initiatives that provides a holistic support for the youth in 3 pillars: Employment Support Programs, Career Development Support Programs, and Enterprise Support Programs through the Private Sector Employment –  (Furas Training Program), and National Employment Program.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs’ flagship Youth City 2030 project exemplifies this vision by delivering exceptional training and development programs. By refining young talents through diverse educational opportunities, this initiative prepares the next generation to play an active role in the Kingdom of Bahrain’s continued growth.

The "Technical Development Program” is a promising strategic initiative launched by the Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) and the Ministry of Labour. It aims to refine the skills of young Bahraini university graduates and job seekers with technical specializations to be distinguished and experienced national cadres in line with the requirements of the labour market. The program’s participants are given an opportunity to obtain intensive training in the iGA’s technical departments, supported by a monthly salary, in addition to receiving internationally accredited professional certificates, raising their chances to be employed by either the public or private sector at the end of the program.

Fostering Engagement and Participation

The Kingdom of Bahrain’s commitment to youth engagement is reflected in several platforms and initiatives launched by the Ministry of Youth Affairs. The national project “Lamea" aims to create a leadership pipeline among the youth by selecting a group of promising young leaders to undergo a series of tests and global training programs to build a strong, well-rounded base of national youth talent in various sectors and fields. Al Mustashar eService aims to address the challenges facing various government sectors and involve youth in developing innovative and sustainable solutions, addressing societal challenges, and help in shaping policy making.

The HIPO-Youth program, led by the Institute of Public Administration (BIPA), enhances youth leadership skills and offers practical exposure to Bahrain’s leadership models.

Bahrain actively engages its youth in policy-making and idea generation through national and institutional ideation activities and hackathons. These hackathons empower young minds to co-create innovative solutions for public challenges, which reflects the government’s commitment to inclusive governance and youth-driven development.

Global Leadership: King Hamad Youth Empowerment Award

Reflecting Bahrain’s global outlook, the Kingdom launched the King Hamad Youth Empowerment Award to Achieve the SDGs, the first award of its kind worldwide. This award recognizes global young leaders who are driving progress towards the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It positions Bahrain at the forefront of youth empowerment on an international scale, inspiring young people to pursue impactful change at local, national, and global levels.

Enabling Infrastructure and Practical Resources

Bahrain’s supportive ecosystem extends to resources such as the Bahrain Business Incubator and the Bahrain Entrepreneurship Center. These institutions offer startups essential infrastructure, professional training, and mentoring, ensuring young innovators receive the guidance and resources necessary to succeed.

A National Commitment

The Government of Bahrain’s efforts to empower youth and foster entrepreneurship go beyond policy. Bahrain celebrates "Bahraini Youth Day" on March 25, in recognition of the contributions of Bahraini youth to the nation’s development journey and to highlight their outstanding achievements in various fields. Bahraini Youth Day symbolizes the Kingdom's vision of empowering youth as essential partners in shaping a brighter, more prosperous future for the nation.