United Nations Development Programme have developed the Green Economy Youth Activation Programme (GrEYAP) project. The project seeks to strengthen youth led businesses in forestry and agroforestry sectors by building their capacity in establishing and running sustainable business enterprises. The project will prioritize vulnerable youth groups and micro enterprises.
Sustainable growth of private commercial forestry activity requires competitive timber product value chains to emerge, underpinned by effective support services. Furthermore, key constraints along the production cycle, timber processing and marketing value chain need to be overcome.
The proposed project therefore seeks to support enterprises to create sustainable jobs/livelihoods and wealth, while promoting climate mitigation and adaptation. These enterprises will be actors in the primary and secondary agroforestry value chains. [The primary actors are engaged in the production of forestry products for use in their raw form such as: charcoal, firewood, poles and timber. Growers of tree seedlings are also categorized as primary actors. Secondary actors are mainly in the value addition phase, where they utilise inputs from the primary actors. They include producers/manufacturers of: wood carvings, furniture and joinery, fibre boards, wooden transmission poles, prefabricated housing, russ rafters and non–timber products (fruits, honey, gums and resins, medicinal tree barks, sandalwood essential oils, tannins e.t.c)]
The Kenya Innovation Climate Center which is the implementing partner for this project is placing a call for applications to enrol suitable youth entrepreneurs into the programme.
Successful applicants will receive technical support through business advisory, technical training, mentorship, technical training and networking opportunities to support them in scaling their businesses.