The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) through the programme “Integrated Country Approach (ICA) for boosting decent jobs for youth in the agri-food system” launched a National Strategy for Youth Employment in Agriculture (NSYEA) in 2017. The purpose of the Strategy is to guide all state and non-state actors in Uganda to engage and create decent employment for youth in Agriculture. In line with the implementation of the NSYEA, a National Technical Coordination Platformwas established to support the implementation of the strategy.
Within the frame of the National Strategy for Youth Employment in Agriculture (NSYEA) implementation, in 2017, through the National Technical Coordination Platform, FAO in collaboration with the MAAIF and the Young Farmers Champions Network (YOFCHAN), launched the Youth Inspiring Youth in Agriculture Initiative (YIYA) – a nation-wide competition aimed at promoting youth employment in the agricultural sector by fostering role models of youth agripreneurs who are willing to work with and support other youth through knowledge-sharing, capacity building and mentorship of fellow youth. Through the YIYA initiative, 25 best youth agripreneurs were selected and awarded as Round One National Youth Champions (YC). The award package included cash support and opportunities to attend technical trainings, exhibitions of their agricultural products and policy dialogues related to youth employment in agriculture.
Based on the success of Round One of the YIYA initiative,the National Technical Coordination Platformexpressed interest to replicate and upscale it into a national youth agripreneurs mentorship programme, aimed at inspiring the youth to engage more efficiently in the agriculture sector countrywide.
The National Technical Coordination Platform therefore invites youth aged 18-35 years to take part in Round Two of the YIYA Initiative for 2020. All applications will be screened through a transparent process and the best 270 youth agripreneurs (2 per district) will be selected, announced and awarded as youth agriprenuers at district and regional levels. The 270 youth agriprenuers will be subjected to further screening to select 135 district Youth Champions nationwide ensuring a gender balance of 68 female and 67 male youth. From the 135 district youth champions, 35 national youth champions will then be selected.
Benefits and award package.
Eligibility criteria
Selection criteria
Where to pick application forms
Application forms can be picked from either of the following:”
Submission guidelines
YOFCHAN (Central and Western Region) | UNYFA (Northern and Eastern Region) |
Plot 106, Nsubuga Road, Off Kisaasi-Kyanja Road, Kampala, Uganda. Tel: +256700388060/+256783937496 | Plot 27, Nakasero Road Kampala Uganda Tel: +256 393241565 / +256 774 532 670 |
Deadline for submissions is 5th November 2020. Any applications received after this deadline will not be considered.