Peru Prospects beyond informal work

Nestled between the Pacific Ocean, the Andes and the rainforest, Latin America’s third-largest country fascinates with its scenic and cultural diversity. At the same time, despite economic progress, it continues to face significant economic challenges:

Although Peru’s economy has grown over the decades, just under 28% of the population still lives in poverty; among those under 17, the figure is as high as 36%. Over 60% of the working population remains in precarious employment with no stable prospects for their future – and here too, young people are particularly affected, accounting for over 80% of this group. A lack of training opportunities and regular employment means that they see hardly any prospects for a self-determined life.

Our work

This is where the Foundation’s work comes into effect: we strengthen existing public centres for technical education in Peru, both structurally and in terms of content, in order to improve the quality of technical education in the long term. In addition to technical qualifications, we promote entrepreneurial thinking, practical skills and key soft skills – in short, our initiatives focus on improving young people’s employability.

Another key focus is on vocational training initiatives for teaching staff, with the aim of embedding modern teaching methods, labour market-oriented content and practical training formats. In addition, we support infrastructure improvements at the training centres to ensure modern and favourable learning conditions.

Beyond the training phase, we actively support our students as they transition into secure employment. By systematically building and maintaining a network of partner companies, we create concrete pathways into the labour market and strengthen sustainable integration into skilled employment.

In this way, we make a structural contribution to securing a skilled workforce, reducing poverty and fostering long-term development.

Quality training for fair employment

More specifically, we are currently supporting two centres for technical education in cooperation with our project partner, Fé y Alegría del Perú. The focus here is on training in the bakery trade – a sector offering realistic employment prospects and low barriers to entry. The project is co-funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Further projects, to be carried out in cooperation with local partners in Lima, are currently being developed. In April 2026, for example, a framework agreement was signed with the state-run “Juan Velasco Alvarado” Institute for Professional Training in Lima. The Foundation will support the Institute through investments in infrastructure, teacher training and targeted support for disadvantaged students.