Skills development for young Haitian trainees
Young artisans certified for a greener future in Grand’ Anse, Haiti
2 March 2026
GRAND’ ANSE, Haiti (ILO News) – A celebration of skill, creativity and ambition unfolded in Anse d’Azur, Grand’ Anse, on 28 February 2026, as 31 young women and men received their certificates for successfully completing a training programme covering bamboo craftsmanship and processing, bamboo planting and propagation, as well as entrepreneurship and the use of digital tools to promote small businesses. On this occasion there was an impressive exhibition, showcasing of a variety of high quality, handmade pieces trainees created from bamboo and other natural materials.
The ceremony was more than a graduation. It was a public moment of recognition for these young people who invested time and effort in learning how to transform local resources into products with economic and environmental value. Families, institutional partners and community members gathered to celebrate their progress and to see first-hand what they had created.
Held at Makay Guesthouse in Anse d’Azur, the event was organised and hosted by the Fondation Communautaire Haïtienne-Espwa (FCH-Espwa), and the Chambre de Métiers et de l’Artisanat d’Haïti (CMAH) within the framework of activities of the project “Youth, agroecology and green jobs for peace” (French- Jeunesse, agroécologie et emplois verts pour la paix en Haïti.) This is an integrated initiative of the ILO and UN Programme for the Environment (UNEP), funded through the UN Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) and implemented in partnership with local organisations.
Crafting new opportunities
The bamboo craft training took place from 12 October 2025 to 23 January 2026 and enabled participants to acquire the necessary skills to work with bamboo as a material for artisanal production. For many of the young beneficiaries, the certificate they received represents both an achievement and a starting point.
Marie Wilfore Fleurant, one of the graduates, described the experience as deeply meaningful. “This journey was not only a personal achievement, but also a commitment to help me continue to add value to our local natural resources to create wealth,” she said.
Another young participant, Auguste Jn Ronel, spoke of the practical value of the training and the sense of momentum it created. “I really appreciate that this training allowed me to earn this certificate that would allow me to start working directly or to move on to further training,” he said.
Their words captured the spirit of the day: pride in what had been accomplished, but also a determination to keep moving forward.
Bamboo serving multiple purposes
Alongside the craft training, a bamboo plantation was established over an area of 6,000 m², introducing six new varieties particularly suited to artisanal processing and construction, including Guadua. In addition, 50 other young leaders from the municipalities of Corail and Jérémie benefited from further training sessions on bamboo planting and propagation, thereby broadening the dissemination of this strategic knowledge within the region.
This component is the result of a consultancy agreement with the Organisation for Environmental Recovery (ORE), based in Camperin and recognised as a leading organisation in agroforestry. Under the supervision of technician Edoine Nazaire, this initiative aims not only to provide a varied and high-quality raw material, but also to contribute to reforestation and the reduction of landslides.
A step towards a more sustainable future
In addition to the presentation of certificates, participants heard youth testimonies, remarks from partners and reflections on the environmental and economic importance of bamboo, before visiting the exhibition of artisanal handicraft.
“Today, we proudly congratulate these young graduates for their hard work, discipline and creativity. Thanks to this training, they have gained more than technical skills in bamboo craftsmanship. They have strengthened their confidence, broadened their horizons in sustainable entrepreneurship and taken an important step towards building a future where their talent can benefit not only their own livelihoods, but also the well-being and development of their communities.” L'Herisson Hilaire, Executive Director of FCH-Espwa.
The event offered a reminder that decent work often begins with the acquisition of skills, self-confidence and the opportunity to put these two assets into practice close to home. By helping young people to acquire technical and entrepreneurial skills related to green jobs, the initiative aims to expand local income opportunities and reduce the pressures that can lead to insecurity and rural exodus. In Grand’ Anse, this means investing in people, in communities and in the sustainable use of local resources.
For these 31 young artisans, the certificates marked a concrete achievement. As the ILO continues to work hand in hand with the people of Haiti, creating pathways to inclusion, resilience and opportunity, the work of these young women and men shows that local talent and local resources can help light the way forward.