COLEAD highlights young agripreneurs and their contribution to a sustainable world

The 2023 International Youth Day highlighted the importance to young people of “green skills”, which include “the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes needed to live, develop and sustain a sustainable and resource-efficient society”. Young agricultural leaders and entrepreneurs are key players in achieving many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as they contribute to food security and safety, create jobs and improve livelihoods through responsible engagement in their farms and businesses. They are also leading the transition to a digital and environmentally sustainable agricultural sector.

It is essential to support the development of young people’s skills, as entrepreneurs and business owners need a wide range of constantly evolving skills. Capacity building is essential for economic growth and ensures that growth is truly inclusive. COLEAD supports young agricultural entrepreneurs, farmers, and managers by strengthening the resources that young people can access. Through its development programmes, COLEAD provides technical assistance (online and in the field), professional training and support services in the areas of regulatory intelligence, market knowledge, partnerships, research and innovation, and access to finance. In the same vein, COLEAD organises inspirational sessions in the agri-food sector in partnership with PAFO, IICA and the OECD to share best practice among entrepreneurs, opportunities to be seized in different value chains and markets, and support opportunities provided by funding or development agencies.

To showcase young people from Africa and the Caribbean, COLEAD has co-organised two sessions with partners to highlight their success factors. To find out more about the entrepreneurs presented, click on the links below!

• • PAFO-COLEAD Innovations Session °8: Catalysing young African agri-entrepreneurs’ investments

Programme, biodata & recording

• • IICA-COLEAD Caribbean Agrifood Business Session °9: Success from innovative youth-led businesses/SMEs in the agrifood sector

Programme, biodata

COLEAD also co-organised, with key partners such as FARA, IFAD, GFAR and YPARD, two youth-focused sessions at the 8^th African Agribusiness and Science Week. The side event, Promoting Business Opportunities for Young Entrepreneurs, featured four inspiring African entrepreneurs presenting their innovations in combating malnutrition, engaging farmers, adding value to local produce, and bringing healthy and safe products to consumers.

The parallel session on Knowledge Management, Digitisation and Youth Entrepreneurship focused on understanding the key challenges facing young entrepreneurs and how digitisation can help them overcome them. As digitisation alone is not a panacea for all the challenges faced by young people, the panellists – including those from the YPARD and COLEAD networks – discussed how to maximise the potential of digital solutions and skills implemented by young people in agriculture.

You can view the recordings of both sessions by clicking on the links below:

Throughout its activities, COLEAD strives to promote youth action along agricultural value chains in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries and around the world. More information will follow, so stay tuned!