Education is a crucial tool that promotes lifelong learning and development across all ages and social groups. In Cameroon, higher education has seen significant growth, with official data showing 59,226 graduates in 2018 compared to 53,389 in 2017an increase of about 11%. Between 2017 and 2018, a total of 112,615 students graduated from the country’s eight state universities, 226 private higher education institutes, and three special-status institutions. During the same period, student enrolment also rose by 7.3%, from 295,058 to 316,631, reflecting the increasing demand for higher education in Cameroon.

However, despite this progress, unemployment remains a major issue, as many graduates find themselves unprepared for the job market due to a curriculum focused more on exams than practical skills. The limited opportunities for youths to gain hands-on experience, coupled with negative attitudes toward local employment and the ongoing socio-political crisis in the English-speaking regions, has led to frustration, poverty, crime, and low productivity. To address this, the Reconciliation and Development Association (RADA) launched the Circles Volunteer Program (CVP) on February 1, 2021. The program equips young graduates with employability skills, practical experience, and income-generating opportunities to enhance their capacity, build their confidence, and readiness for the job market.