Marking the launch of the Agroforestry Skills for Employment and Resilience Project in Timor-Leste on 21 February, 30 representatives of government institutions, donor, foreign embassies, private sector and training center institutions planted sandalwood trees at Tibar Training Centre in Dili, Timor-Leste. The tree planting symbolized the environmental protection and sustainability.

Funded by the European Union (EU), the four-year Project will be implemented by the ILO in collaboration, among others, with Secretariat of State for Vocational Training and Employment (SEFOPE) under the supervisory of Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, National Institute for Labour Force Development (INDMO), Chamber of Commerce and Industry Timor-Leste (CCI-TL), State Secretary for Cooperative, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, State Secretary for General and Vocational Education and Timor-Leste Business Women Association (AEMTL). The project focusing on the promotion of green and sustainable economic diversification in Timor-Leste through private sector development and technical and vocational education training (TVET) for youth integration in the labour market.

With an overall budget of 5.9 million Euros, the project also addresses the lack of skilled workers and high youth unemployment, particularly of young women, in the country by increasing quality employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in the agroforestry sector through skills and private sector development, for youth, particularly young women and girls, while promoting a green and circular economy.

The Secretary of State of Vocational Training and Employment, Rogério Araújo Mendonça, greatly welcomed the launch of the project that would benefit Timor-Leste’s youth. "This project that is launched today could take into account of getting young people to work in the agroforestry sector and providing them with a good income. With the involvement of private sectors and other relevant stakeholders, I believe, we can really do good and fruitful activities for the benefit of the people in Timor-Leste,” he remarked.

“The ILO is pleased that the project is in line with one of the priorities of the Government of Timor-Leste to diversify the economy and enhance small and medium enterprises sector, while at the same time removing some of the binding constraints to private sector growth and improving infrastructure, increasing efficiency in the public sector, facilitating credit, and the building up of skilled labour,” said Diego Rei, ILO’s Labour Market and Employment Specialist.

Meanwhile, Marc Fiedrich, the Ambassador of the EU to Timor-Leste, stated that the EU was pleased to be part of the development of Timor-Leste and to contribute to the increased quality employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in sustainable Agroforestry for youth. “We hope that this project will provide youth and women, particularly in rural areas, a greater access to vocational training so that they can secure a decent employment or create their own employment that, in turn, will improve their living conditions and welfare.”

The launch was attended by around 30 participants, representing SEFOPE, the National Institute for Labour’s Development (INDMO), the Secretary of State for Cooperatives (SECOOP), trade investors, EU delegation, international embassies, private sector, trade unions and training providers.