Call for application: Youth Shaping Sustainable Food Systems Workshop in Eastern Africa

Deadline for application: 12 February 2019

Countries of focus: DRC, Kenya, Uganda,  Rwanda, and Tanzania 

Funding type: Fully funded  

Most countries in Africa are undergoing rapid urbanization bringing with it fresh opportunities as well as creating new challenges arising from the transition.

From the perspective of urban and peri-urban agriculture, classic practices are changing too due to a combination of socio-economic factors such as shifting consumer and market preferences, access to new tools, digitalization, constraints on land and water resources as well as decreasing interest in farming by the young generation. Effective and efficient solutions for increasing sustainable agriculture at city region scale are needed to ensure access to nutritious food, safeguard natural resources and ensure viable opportunities for the next generation of farmers in the agri-food sector.

A key goal must be to increase capacities of young progressive farmers in sustainable agriculture practices that can lead to sustainable development and stronger rural and urban linkages. This can start new partnerships at the local level,  promote systematic youth farmer oriented training on good agricultural practices, new urban markets opportunities and peer-to-peer exchange for young upcoming farmers to learn from each other while improving access to services, and opening new possibilities for resource mobilization.

YPARD is collaborating with  FAO and Rikolto to organize this interactive workshop where young farmers can interact, learn and share best practices, with a focus strengthening rural and urban linkages for sustainable food and agriculture.  

Young people involved in agricultural activities in Uganda, Kenya, DRC, Tanzania and Rwanda can apply to join a training and knowledge sharing workshop that will be held in Mbale, Uganda from 25th to 29th March 2019. This is a training and Knowledge Sharing Workshop for Young Progressive Farmers to Promote the Urban Food Agenda in East Africa. Apply before 12th February 2019.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Be a member of YPARD.  Join YPARD at https://ypard.net/join-ypard
• Be between 18 and 35 years of age at the time of application;
• Have a valid National Identity card or Passport (for non-Ugandans); Participants from DRC must have a passport others may use a National Identity Card. 
• Have a valid yellow fever card (for non-Ugandans) ; 
• Be a citizen of one of the following countries: Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, DRC and Rwanda;
• Be proficient in English Reading, Writing and Speaking;
• Demonstrate interest, knowledge and active involvement in agriculture, food systems, and youth empowerment; 
• Demonstrate a commitment to be socially active in affecting positive change in the community and region;
• Be willing to participate actively in an intensive program;
• Be willing to contribute to the development of the post-workshop project proposal  document for supporting young farmers in the region to strengthen rural and urban linkages for sustainable food and agriculture;
• Be willing to implement a post-workshop mini-project in your community to empower youth in agriculture. 

Benefits:

• The selected participants will participate in a face-to-face workshop and capacity building and peer-to-peer knowledge exchange among and by farmers of the region.
• Travel to Mbale, Eastern Uganda, from 25th to 29th March 2019 to develop their knowledge and skills and form part of the network of leaders and practical youths in agriculture prepared to effectively and collaboratively address the issues of youth in agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). 
• Participants will build partnerships, networking and mutual learning between farmers and farmer organizations.
• Participants will benefit from online training opportunities, access to regional and global mentors and opportunities to partner with relevant companies, institutions, experts and colleagues. 
• The 40 selected participants are expected to collaborate in teams from other countries to design innovative and far-reaching solutions and strengthen linkages among rural and urban youths in agriculture in a sustainable manner on their return home. 
• All workshop costs, including transportation/travels, meals and accommodation, will be covered for selected participants.  

Application process:

Please if you are not YPARD member, register via here

Please fill out the online application form HERE before 12th February, 2019 and for inquiries, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and/or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. using "Application FSF- Name of Applicant" as the subject of the email. Accepted applicants will be notified no later than 17th February, 2019.   

After selection, the organizing team can provide a support letter if needed to help in travelling.  We look forward to reading your applications!

APPLY NOW! 

Photo credit: ILRI