LAUNCH AND POLICY DIALOGUE

REGIONAL FAO-IFAD ProjectSTRENGTHENING DECENT RURAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

FOR YOUNG WOMEN AND MEN IN THE CARIBBEAN

7 - 9 September 2015 Bridgetown, Barbados

Youth Employment & Participation in Sustainable AgricultureAddressing Challenges and Constraints

David Bynoe/ National Coordinator Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme - UNDP

Youth Employment & Participation in Sustainable Agriculture

Addressing Challenges and Constraints

Scope of SGP

• Established in 1992 to address global environmental problems at the community level.

• Our main objectives are to achieve environmental sustainability, alleviate and/or reduce poverty, and develop capacity.

• We offer financial and technical support to civil society organizations (CSOs) for community driven projects that contribute to global environmental priorities.

SGP Focal Areas

Biodiversity51%

Climate Change18%

International Waters5%

Multifocal Area11%

Persistent Organic Pol-lutants

2%

Land Degradation12%

Climate Change Adaptation2%

Distribution of Projects Implemented

Special Areas of Focus

•Youth and Children

•Gender Equality and Women Empowerment

•Disabled Community

•Support of Indigenous People

SGP’s Approach To Sustainable Human Development

Sustainable Human Development 3 pillars:

•environmental protection•poverty reduction •community empowerment

SGP approach leverages shifts towards environmentally sustainable livelihood options, and increases education and awareness on environmental issues.

Current Picture of Youth Involved in Agriculture

• The average age of persons involved in agriculture is above 55 in most Caribbean countries.

• Youth involvement in Agriculture offers significant opportunities to tackle high unemployment in the region.

• There are several significant constraints in achieving this goal.

Challenges & Constraints

• Perception of Agriculture• Access to knowledge, information and

education• Access to Land• Access to Finance Services• Access to Markets• Engagement in the Policy Dialogue

Perception

• Youth are discouraged about engaging in agriculture.

• Agriculture is not presented as a viable career option.

• Agriculture has been projected in the past as a last resort for unsuccessful youth.

Access to Knowledge, Information and Education

• Poor and inadequate education limits productivity and the acquisition of skills.

• Insufficient access to knowledge and information can hinder the development of entrepreneurial ventures.

• Agricultural training and education is not always adapted to ensure that graduates’ skills meet the needs of rural labour markets.

Access to Land

• Access to land is fundamental to starting a farm.

• Loans to assist youth in acquiring land are not readily available.

• Leasing arrangements through which youth can gain access to land are lacking or underdeveloped.

Access to Finance Services

• Most financial service providers are reluctant to provide their services to youth.

• Lack of financial products that cater for youth.

Access to Markets

• Without such access youth will not be able to engage in viable and sustainable agricultural ventures.

• Access to markets for youth is becoming even more difficult due to the growing international influence of supermarkets and the rigorous standards of their supply chains.

Engagement in the Policy Dialogue

• Young people’s voices are not heard during the policy process, and so their complex and multifaceted needs are not met.

• Policies often fail to account for the heterogeneity of youth, and so do not provide them with effective support.

Strategic Actions Implemented

• Youth Training, Education, and Mentoring• Youth Agri-business/Entrepreneurship• Youth Agricultural Production and Processing

Capacity• Youth Entrepreneurship Incentives and

Recognition• Information Sharing among Regional Youth in

Agriculture• Youth-Government Dialogues

Lessons Learnt & Recommendations Applied

Youth Training, Education and Mentoring

• Perceptions can be changed through providing tangible examples of career options and showcasing viable enterprises within agriculture.

Youth Training, Education and Mentoring

• Formal partnerships with the Ministries of Agriculture, Education and Youth to introduce structured programmes and projects in the primary and secondary schools that merge the science and practice of agriculture with entrepreneurship.

Youth Training, Education and Mentoring

• Establishing train the trainers and agricultural vocational training centers allows for greater impact.

Youth Training, Education and Mentoring

• Linking youth with mentors and technical expertise required especially in the start-up phase increased the probability of success.

Access to Land

This has been facilitated mainly through:

•Land lease arrangements with government, private sector and individual citizens for at least the duration of the project.

Access to Land

• Reconversion of unused land back into agriculture & reclamation of lands not previously used for production is a viable option.

Access to Finance

• Micro-finance & Grant financing is much more appropriate for youth start-up agri-businesses.

Access to Markets

• Link young agri-entrepreneurs with established Farmers groups that already have access to markets.

• Utilize existing or start a Farmers Market.

Market Access

• Target a niche market and equip youth with the prerequisite to access this niche.

• Link youth enterprises with supermarkets, hotels and restaurants in close proximity.

Engagement in the Policy Dialogue

• Capacity building workshops on policy issues are essential.

• Formation of youth advocacy groups provides a formal conduit for dialogue with policy makers.

Engagement in the Policy Dialogue

• Establishment of CSO-Government Dialogues creates the space for dialogue.

COMMUNITY ACTION

GLOBAL IMPACT

THANK YOU