This October, Duo for a JOB is launching an unprecedented campaign shining a light on its unique pairs: young people with an immigrant background supported by seasoned mentors, in an effort to combat inequality in hiring.
A flawless CV, boundless motivation… and yet, the door often remains closed. For many young people from immigrant backgrounds, the Belgian job market is riddled with obstacles. For over a decade, the non-profit Duo for a JOB has been breaking this cycle by creating intergenerational and intercultural pairs: on one side, job seekers; on the other, experienced mentors - often retirees or professionals at the end of their careers - who share their expertise and networks. This October, the organization is highlighting these duos where one person’s experience can change another’s path, through a campaign that asks: “Who is it?”
A playful nod with a serious message
The campaign draws inspiration from the famous board game of the same name, where players eliminate faces based on superficial questions: glasses or no glasses? Blonde or dark hair? Until only one card is left. In real life, however, the criteria are far from trivial—an accent, a first name, or skin color can be enough to shut the door. This is the mechanism Duo for a JOB wants to dismantle.
The “Who is it?” campaign reimagines the colorful board with fictitious candidates: strong degrees, evident motivation… but a name or a face that, in reality, could be grounds for rejection. The message is clear: whether in a game or in life, eliminating someone based on appearance is absurd. With this campaign, the association hopes to raise awareness beyond its usual circles, attract new mentors, and persuade more companies to open their doors.
Over six months, each duo progresses step by step: learning the codes of the Belgian job market, fine-tuning a CV, preparing interviews, expanding networks—and above all, rebuilding confidence. “The young people we work with have the skills. What they lack are opportunities,” explains Guillaume Albessard, Head of Communications at Duo for a JOB.
The figures behind the challenge
The statistics speak for themselves. According to Statbel, unemployment among the active population reaches 18.6% for young people of Sub-Saharan African origin and 16.4% for those from North Africa, compared with a Belgian average of just 6.2%. For youth aged 15–24, the rate is particularly high at 19.9%. Eurostat adds that employment among people born outside the EU stagnates at 51%. “We work with young people who, despite their skills, face discrimination,” says Albessard. “Our role is to offer tailored guidance, but also to raise awareness of these realities.”
For young people with an immigrant background, the barriers are twofold. “Being young is already a challenge: their unemployment rate is twice that of the general population. Adding origin multiplies the hurdles,” he continues. On the other side, mentors are often drawn from another vulnerable group: the over-50s. “A study showed that one in three people over 50 feel their opinion is less respected. Yet four in ten Belgians are over 50, and they form the largest group of volunteers. Their experience and willingness to contribute are invaluable.”
Changing lives, one duo at a time
Each duo is “a small victory” against inequality, the association says. Mentors bring expertise, while young people contribute fresh perspectives. The October campaign encourages potential mentors to take the leap: “Some people think they don’t have what it takes to mentor, but what matters most is the desire to pass something on.” The organization provides training and follow-up to ensure the relationship is rewarding on both sides.
The results so far are promising: 7 out of 10 young people find a job or begin training at the end of the program. But impact goes beyond numbers. “We see people regain confidence, dare to apply for jobs they never would have considered, and finally feel legitimate,” Albessard notes. By linking different generations and cultures, Duo for a JOB builds bridges where barriers once stood.
Key figures
19.9% : Youth unemployment rate in Belgium (ages 15–24), Q3 2024
18.6% : Unemployment among people of Sub-Saharan African origin (2022)
16.4% : Unemployment among people of North African origin (2022)
51.3% : Employment rate of people born outside the EU (ages 20–64)
Sources: Statbel & Eurostat