This is a key responsibility of regional governments, which provide training, employment services and facilitate access to credit for youths. Average annual spending by regional governments on the promotion of employability, employment services and access to finance was ETB 1.1 billion between 2012/13 and 2016/17 (Figure 1.10), loans grew substantially towards the end of this period. It also supports informal social protection mechanisms and strengthens their linkages to the formal system.