ProAgro YOUTH

Youth in Africa face a daunting challenge; the limited availability of decent jobs, especially in rural areas.

The formal private sector doesn’t create enough jobs for the growing youth population, while opportunities for entrepreneurship are limited. At the same time, the educational system and vocational training institutions do not always prepare graduates adequately for the available positions, resulting in skills mismatch.

Many young people are therefore forced into low-paying and unstable jobs in the informal sector.

To overcome these challenges, IFAD and ILO are strategically partnering to pilot the Integrated Agribusiness hubs model to promote youth employment in the rural economy.

Implemented by the ILO in collaboration governments, social partners, selected implementing partners and other relevant stakeholders, the goal of the project is to increase decent self and wage employment for rural youth through integrated agribusiness hubs, ultimately leading to measurable improvements in the country’s agribusiness sectors.

© Francois Kouassi / ILO

© Francois Kouassi / ILO

To achieve its objectives, ProAgro YOUTH is articulated around two main components:

The project is implemented through partnerships with national and local governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations and civil society organizations (including NGOs) at the local level, national level, as well as the regional/global level.

It will liaise with relevant UN agencies in order to prevent duplication and ensure the sustainability of its activities.