EU-ILO join forces to strengthen Agroforestry Value Chains in Timor-Leste

DILI (Joint Press Release) – The European Union, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), facilitated a multi-stakeholder workshop on agroforestry value chains in Timor-Leste, under the EU’s Agroforestry Skills for Employment and Resilience Project. The workshop brings together a diverse group of stakeholders, including relevant government line ministries, donor, development partners, academia, private sectors and civil society organizations, to discuss and examine potential agroforestry value chains in the country.

The main goal of the workshop is to capture a range of views and experiences from the participating stakeholders to strengthen the key findings of the agroforestry value chain study and analysis conducted by Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB) and National University of Timor-Leste (UNTL). The study and analysis have been conducted for two months from January 2024, covering agroforestry value chain of four main agricultural commodities of Timor-Leste: coconut, vanilla, konjac and coffee.

The workshop also provides a venue for the participants to share their experiences in the agroforestry sector by identifying existing skills gap and business opportunities in the four commodities above to strengthen the productivity and to improve welfare of farmers. In addition, the workshop aims to identify agroforestry training needed within the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector in Timor-Leste.

The Ambassador of the European Union Delegation, Marc Fiedrich, stated that the study and analysis will support skills development for youth and women, particularly in rural areas, in agroforestry sector and will contribute for the development of decent employment or creation of their own employment or company. “The EU believes that the active involvement of the multi-stakeholders in this project is key to ensure that the training offer provided in agroforestry is in line with the needs and opportunities of the private sector and matches people’s skills. By providing the necessary skills to youth and women working in agroforestry and in rural areas, this project will contribute to improve their competences, increase their productivity and ensure a more diversified, sustainable and circular economy in Timor-Leste”, he said.

Meanwhile, the representative of the ILO, Tendy Gunawan, emphasized the importance of synergy and coordination among relevant stakeholders. “Inputs from these multi-stakeholders are important to ensure that our activities are aligned with the activities of other relevant stakeholders working in the same sector. By synergizing our efforts and resources, we believe that the project will greatly benefit the people of Timor-Leste.”

Background Information

The workshop follows the launch of the EU’s Agroforestry Skills for Employment and Resilience Project in Timor-Leste on 21 February. With an overall budget of 5.9 million Euros for the next four years, the Project aims to promote green and sustainable economic diversification and resilience in Timor-Leste through private sector development, technical and vocational education training (TVET) for youth integration in the labour market and to increase quality employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, particularly for young women and girls.

For more information, please contact:

Paul Pinto
Communication & Information Officer for ILO’s Agroforestry Project
Email: pintop@ilo.org