Empowering rural women and youth in Timor-Leste through mobile training units

DILI, Timor-Leste (ILO News) - The European Union (EU) delegation handed over two mobile training units to the “EU Agroforestry Skills for Employment and Resilience" project, funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Labour Organization (ILO), to be used for training activities in rural communities around Timor-Leste. Held in Dili on 5 March, the mobile training units were received by Simrin Singh, ILO Country Director for Indonesia and Timor-Leste.

These mobile training units will be deployed and operate in rural areas, offering crucial training to rural women and youth on sustainable agroforestry practices. This initiative aims to support the green and circular economy while facilitating the integration of these groups into the labour market, enhancing their economic independence and resilience. This approach not only supports environmental protection but also enhances the economic viability of agroforestry enterprises.

“The mobile training units will provide rural women and youth with opportunities to enhance their skills and acquire essential knowledge in agroforestry production, ultimately improving their livelihoods. This aligns with the ILO’s human-centred approach, which emphasizes lifelong learning to tackle high unemployment rates while empowering women with better access to employment and economic opportunities,” Simrin stated.

Approximately 70 percent of Timor-Leste's rural population relies on agriculture, forests and livestock for their livelihoods. To support these communities, the Agroforestry Skills for Employment and Resilience Project aims to enhance their quality of life by providing essential skills for agroforestry production. With a particular focus on women and youth, the programme seeks to tackle high youth unemployment rates and the shortage of skilled labour in rural areas.