The empowering journey of a young Timorese cooperative leader and entrepreneur

A series of skills training programmes delivered through the Agroforestry Skills for Employment and Resilience programme – implemented by the ILO and funded by the European Union (EU) – has profoundly transformed the life of Aniceto Tilman Belo, a 27-year-old father of two from Viqueque Municipality, Timor-Leste.

Today, Aniceto stands as one of the most trusted leaders within his cooperative and a thriving business owner. He facilitates discussions on financial transparency, promotes collaborative decision-making and mentors others in responsible resource management.

© Nuncio Da Costa/ILO

© Nuncio Da Costa/ILO

His journey began in 2024 while serving on the Credit Committee of HAMAIFOR, a cooperative dedicated to improving the lives of rural women. That year, he participated in a financial education training, where he gained essential knowledge in budgeting, financial planning and cooperative governance. The experience gave him the confidence and skills to manage both his personal business and the cooperative’s finances more effectively.

“The training helped me tackle the biggest challenges in our cooperative. I now feel confident guiding others, sharing what I have learned and helping the cooperative make decisions that truly matter. It also gave me the tools to grow my own business, manage finances better and watch it thrive,” Aniceto shared.

The training programme also introduced him to opportunities within the coconut value chain from coir ropes and charcoal to oil and feedstock. In March 2025, he joined a Try-Out session with Adventist Development Relief Agency Timor-Leste, an implementing partner of the Agroforestry Skills programme. There, he applied his training to strengthen leadership and improve cooperative systems.

The training helped me tackle the biggest challenges in our cooperative. I now feel confident guiding others, sharing what I have learned and helping the cooperative make decisions that truly matter.

Aniceto Tilman Belo, a young Timorese cooperative leader and entrepreneur

© Nuncio Da Costa/ILO

© Nuncio Da Costa/ILO

Under Aniceto’s leadership, the cooperative has significantly increased production of virgin coconut oil and MINUVI, a locally produced coconut cooking oil that now supports the livelihoods of approximately 25 households in his village. “This income helps families meet daily needs, pay school fees and cover basic expenses. It is making a real difference,” he explained.

Through the cooperative’s credit services, over 60 members now have access to loans, many of which are used to launch small businesses. Looking ahead, the cooperative has earmarked funds to recruit new staff, prioritizing the children of current Credit Committee members and ensuring that opportunities are passed on to the next generation.

My hope is for our cooperative to grow, with its own structure and more opportunities for members. I also want to start new business ventures to support my family and create a better future.

For Aniceto, the transformation has been deeply personal and widely impactful. He has turned his once-struggling kiosk into a sustainable enterprise and now enjoys financial stability for the first time – a sense of security he hopes all cooperative members will experience.

“My hope is for our cooperative to grow, with its own structure and more opportunities for members. I also want to start new business ventures to support my family and create a better future. I dream of continuing my education to further develop the skills I need,” he shared, determined to keep moving forward.