When
2020-2022
Where
Kenya | Ethiopia | Uganda | Rwanda
Youth Participation in Agroecology Networks
for policy development and agroecology awareness raising
When
2020-2022
Where
Kenya | Ethiopia | Uganda | Rwanda
Youth Participation in Agroecology Networks for policy development and agroecology awareness raising
Stakeholders from Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda who are passionate about agroecology and believe it is the future of sustainable food production set up youth and agroecology Networks. YALTA has played an important role in establishing these networks, through reference groups, supporting a steering committee and moderating online participation.Â
Roughly 45% of the network’s members, whether entrepreneurs, farmers or experts with a particular interest in agroecology are under 35 years old. They participate in the wide range of food system engagements for youth across various agroecological practices. For example, they are active in networks aimed at accelerating the transition to more environmentally sustainable farming systems and business streams.Â
Youth involvement in agroecology networks grew from several strategies. Among them, youth are now scaling agroecological practices and including indigenous knowledge of agroecology present in their countries, as well as furthering their knowledge and skills in the principles of agroecology. They are also participating in policy development, sharing their success stories through social media, and showcasing and explaining agroecological products and services.Â
YALTA set up and strengthened four agroecology networks, involving 1761 youth professionals throughout the 31 events that we organised. To start with, a mapping was done in each country, followed by national summits in Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia and Rwanda to engage the stakeholders identified. Youth were taught how to lobby for agroecological issues and participate in policy development. In addition, YALTA Rwanda hosted an agroecology symposium with the goal of incorporating agroecology into educational and research programs to benefit youth in terms of long-term productivity and agroecology curriculum consideration.
Summarizing his experience with YALTA, a young entrepreneur Takele says that "Agroecology is an art", i.e. you enjoy and learn more by doing. As a result of his participation in various YALTA events and the network, Takele continued to specialize and diversify his agroecoogy business. He could play a role in food policy development.
Achievements
Improved business opportunities for AE youth. This is because market linkages occurred during YALTA events, resulting in a better understanding of AE products and their health benefits, as well as a greater willingness to purchase them, thereby creating a market opportunity for AE products.
increased youth awareness of AE, resulting in youth beginning to adopt agroecology principles and changing the opportunities for agroecology businesses
AE stakeholder links are established through developed national networks, such as working with AE actors within the country like PELUM, MELCA, AFSA, and other AE actors.
Youth gather support to build value addition, capacity building, and idea incubation, for example, a deep dive in Ethiopia where Blue Moon selected youth for business incubation and youth profiling in AE.
Emerging and developing AE network in implementing countries, such as Ethiopia, where AEN is in the process of registering as the country's largest AE network.
National Summit Videos
KENYA
RWANDA
ETHIOPIA
Youth Participation in Agroecology Networks for policy development and agroecology awareness raising
When
January 2021 - December 2022
Where
Kenya | Ethiopia | Uganda | Rwanda
Stakeholders from Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda who are passionate about agroecology and believe it is the future of sustainable food production set up youth and agroecology Networks. YALTA has played an important role in establishing these networks, through reference groups, supporting a steering committee and moderating online participation.Â
Roughly 45% of the network’s members, whether entrepreneurs, farmers or experts with a particular interest in agroecology are under 35 years old. They participate in the wide range of food system engagements for youth across various agroecological practices. For example, they are active in networks aimed at accelerating the transition to more environmentally sustainable farming systems and business streams.Â
Youth involvement in agroecology networks grew from several strategies. Among them, youth are now scaling agroecological practices and including indigenous knowledge of agroecology present in their countries, as well as furthering their knowledge and skills in the principles of agroecology. They are also participating in policy development, sharing their success stories through social media, and showcasing and explaining agroecological products and services.Â
YALTA set up and strengthened four agroecology networks, involving 1761 youth professionals throughout the 31 events that we organised. To start with, a mapping was done in each country, followed by national summits in Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia and Rwanda to engage the stakeholders identified. Youth were taught how to lobby for agroecological issues and participate in policy development. In addition, YALTA Rwanda hosted an agroecology symposium with the goal of incorporating agroecology into educational and research programs to benefit youth in terms of long-term productivity and agroecology curriculum consideration.
Summarizing his experience with YALTA, a young entrepreneur Takele says that "Agroecology is an art", i.e. you enjoy and learn more by doing. As a result of his participation in various YALTA events and the network, Takele continued to specialize and diversify his agroecoogy business. He could play a role in food policy development.
Stakeholders from Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda who are passionate about agroecology and believe it is the future of sustainable food production set up youth and agroecology Networks. YALTA has played an important role in establishing these networks, through reference groups, supporting a steering committee and moderating online participation.Â
Roughly 45% of the network’s members, whether entrepreneurs, farmers or experts with a particular interest in agroecology are under 35 years old. They participate in the wide range of food system engagements for youth across various agroecological practices. For example, they are active in networks aimed at accelerating the transition to more environmentally sustainable farming systems and business streams.Â
Youth involvement in agroecology networks grew from several strategies. Among them, youth are now scaling agroecological practices and including indigenous knowledge of agroecology present in their countries, as well as furthering their knowledge and skills in the principles of agroecology. They are also participating in policy development, sharing their success stories through social media, and showcasing and explaining agroecological products and services.Â
YALTA set up and strengthened four agroecology networks, involving 1761 youth professionals throughout the 31 events that we organised. To start with, a mapping was done in each country, followed by national summits in Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia and Rwanda to engage the stakeholders identified. Youth were taught how to lobby for agroecological issues and participate in policy development. In addition, YALTA Rwanda hosted an agroecology symposium with the goal of incorporating agroecology into educational and research programs to benefit youth in terms of long-term productivity and agroecology curriculum consideration.
Summarizing his experience with YALTA, a young entrepreneur Takele says that "Agroecology is an art", i.e. you enjoy and learn more by doing. As a result of his participation in various YALTA events and the network, Takele continued to specialize and diversify his agroecoogy business. He could play a role in food policy development.
Achievements
Improved business opportunities for AE youth. This is because market linkages occurred during YALTA events, resulting in a better understanding of AE products and their health benefits, as well as a greater willingness to purchase them, thereby creating a market opportunity for AE products.
increased youth awareness of AE, resulting in youth beginning to adopt agroecology principles and changing the opportunities for agroecology businesses
AE stakeholder links are established through developed national networks, such as working with AE actors within the country like PELUM, MELCA, AFSA, and other AE actors.
Youth gather support to build value addition, capacity building, and idea incubation, for example, a deep dive in Ethiopia where Blue Moon selected youth for business incubation and youth profiling in AE.
Emerging and developing AE network in implementing countries, such as Ethiopia, where AEN is in the process of registering as the country's largest AE network.
National Summit Videos
KENYA
RWANDA
ETHIOPIA
National Summit Videos
KENYA
RWANDA
ETHIOPIA
