Kenya Youth Economic Empowerment Program (KYEEP)
KYEEP is a partnership of The County Government of Kilifi, the World Food Programme (WFP) Kenya, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), World Vision (WV) Kenya and Vision Fund. The project is meant to complement the WFP PRRO asset creation program and will be implemented with the aim to address two main gaps associated with youth and their livelihoods: readiness and access to gainful economic livelihood through adopting various models.
The goal of the pilot project is to improve the livelihood and resilience of 400 vulnerable youth and their families in Kilifi County through integrated interventions in horticulture and poultry value chains and general youth empowerment initiatives.
Eight youth groups have been identified and selected to participate in the project. Five poultry groups and three groups practicing riverine agriculture (watermelon) who currently have nascent group income-generating activities have demonstrated the capacity to venture into farming as a business. We aim to work with over 20 groups by end of September 2017. The group trainings have been structured to strengthen the capacity of the youths to adopt a positive attitude and have an empowered worldview. These themes are anchored on the youth ready model which is informed and aligned with the principles of positive youth development.
Lead Implementing partner: County Government of Kilifi and World Vision: Kenya (inclusive of Vision Fund Kenya)
Donor: UN WFP
Duration: One year (April 2017 – March 2018)
Partners: United Nation World Food Programme (WFP) United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), National Drought Management Authority, NDMA
Project Location: Kilifi County (Ganze, Kaloleni, Malindi and Magarini sub-counties)
Number of Beneficiaries (Youth): 20 youth Groups (400 youth) 10 watermelons and 10 poultry
Budget: USD 250,000 WFP contribution, USD 100,000 UNFAO Financing through Rabo Bank
CURRENT ACHIEVEMENTS
- Identification and selection of initial 8 groups. Additional 12 to be mobilized to September 2017
- Concept paper developed and shared with the donor for scale up to other Counties i.e. Nyamira, Makueni, Baringo, West Pokot, Samburu, and Kilifi
- The signing of the MOU between Kilifi County Government and WFP. Signing of letter of intent between all project partners
Outcome 1: Improved agro-based economic opportunities for the youth through enhanced literacy, livelihood and life skills
Output 1.1: Functional youth groups in Agriculture in Kilifi County
The key activities under this output are:
1.1.1 Identification and selection of youth groups
In partnership with the CGK, FAO, WFP, and WV the team will identify 20 groups in the county (10 groups for the horticulture value chain and 10 groups poultry value chain). This will be conducted between October and December 2016. Between May and June 2017, the County project Coordinator (CPC) and Youth Project Officer (YPO) will, in collaboration with the Department of Social Services, Department of Agriculture, Livestock Development and Fisheries (DALDF), WFP, FAO and WVK, facilitate the identification and selection of an additional 12 youth groups.The criteria for selection of youth groups are described below:
1.1.2 Identification and training of Trainer of Facilitators (ToFs)
In addition, 20 frontline extension officers, from the 4 sub-counties will be identified and trained as ToFs in May 2017. Of these, 8 ToFs will be attached to each of the 8 initial youth groups. The others will be assigned as additional 20 youth groups are identified and selected. The ToFs will facilitate training of the youth groups on capacity strengthening to improve their life, livelihood, and literacy skills, provide agricultural extension and advisory services in relation to horticulture and poultry production value chains, and agribusiness planning and management.
Output 1.2: Youth have improved Literacy Skills
1.2.1 Provide learning resources to support literacy learning
To achieve this, the YPO and CPC will ensure that WVK avails, on a continuous basis, modules on literacy learning for use by the ToFs with the youth groups. Existing literacy learning materials will be used.
1.2.2 Participation in peer-peer support learning activities and Youth in agriculture forums
The ToFs will organize and facilitate sessions among the participating youth groups and with other progressive groups or individual farmers. This will be done on a continuous basis. In addition, some representatives of the youth will be selected to participate in global youth conferences. Initially, the youth will participate in the official launch of the Youth in Agriculture Strategy planned for January 2017.
1.2.3 Documentation and amplification of literacy skills using the Youth Ready Workbook
Throughout the implementation of the pilot project, the youth will document all their activities and literacy learning skills acquired. The YPO will train the ToFs on the use of the youth ready workbooks and use these to document literacy skills acquired.
Output 1.3: Youth have improved Livelihood Skills
1.3.1 Training youth groups on financial literacy
From June 2017, the ToFs will facilitate and train the youth groups on a continuous basis on financial literacy. Working with subject matter specialists at the sub-county level (livestock development, agribusiness, agronomy, horticulture, and irrigation) the CPC and YPO will ensure develop that training curriculum to be used by the ToFs. Existing literature with the Agricultural Information Resource Centre (AIRC) will be used as reference material for financial literacy training.
1.3.2 Sensitize youth groups on livelihood diversification options along the selected value chains
To achieve this, the ToFs will facilitate the youth groups in identifying opportunities for livelihood diversification within the selected value chains.
1.3.3 Training youth on vocational skills
Youth groups will be trained on vocational skills. Selected youth will be linked to existing technical training institutes or suppliers of equipment. Some areas for vocation training will include, but not limited to, operation and maintenance of irrigation equipment, incubators, value addition in selected value chains, etc.
1.3.4 Training on entrepreneurship and business development
Between May and August 2017, the CPC and YPO will work with the agribusiness officers at the sub-counties and ToFs to train the youth groups on entrepreneurship and business development skills. The core modules for this training will include: effective facilitation, entrepreneurship, developing business plans, marketing, costing and pricing, operational management, record-keeping, and saving. As part of this training, WVK and CGK will facilitate the youth groups to form savings groups.
Output 1.4: Youth have improved Life Skills
1.4.1 Training youth on leadership and group dynamics
Using focus group discussions (FGDs), the ToFs will facilitate the youth on leadership and group dynamics. The key topical areas for FGDs will include, but not limited to the following: group dynamics concept, group management, team building, conflict management, negotiation and communication skills, project planning, management and sustainability, participatory monitoring and evaluation, resource mobilization and management, proposal writing, fight against corruption. Part of this facilitation will include providing mentorship for the youth groups.
1.4.2 Digital skills training and networking
Through the Directorate of youth, the youth groups will be trained on digital skills and networking. This training will expose the youth to the role of digital platforms as marketing tools for the skills, produce and products they have developed through the selected value chains. Youth officers in Kilifi and Malindi will be the key facilitators of this training
Outcome 2: Youth adapt and leverage change to develop sustainable economic wellbeing
Output 2.1: Access to productive assets
The key activities that will contribute to achieving this output include:
- Providing asset financing for the identified value chains. From January to April 2017, through VFK, FAO will provide assets to the youth groups. These assets will include inputs, incubators, irrigation equipment that will be provided as credit to the youth groups through VFK. Suppliers for each of the equipment provided to the youth groups through asset financing arrangements between the youth groups and VFK will provide training to the youth groups on operation and maintenance of the equipment.
- Supporting the youth groups to access financial resources to sustain and expand their value chains, through linkage with existing and potential markets as well as financial institutions that provide credit for agricultural value chains. This support will be provided continuously during the project period by the CPC and YPO.
Output 2.2: Youth access to market
The group facilitators will support youth groups to participate in trade fairs and exhibition initiatives within and outside the county.
- Within each youth group, marketing committees will be established. These committees will utilize the digital skills to develop digital marketing platforms and local level marketing channels
- Facilitate formation of a marketing association for the identified value chains
- Linking the youth to identified markets and negotiation of contract agreements
- Facilitate the youth groups to benefit from Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) and other business opportunities
Outcome 3.0 Youth attain improved productivity and incomes on selected value chains
Output 3.1: Youth are engaged in economically viable horticultural production and utilization
3.1.1 Training on horticulture production
Orient on Principles of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in horticultural, vegetables, and fruits production with special emphasis on watermelon production. Other areas on they will work on include irrigation technologies, operation, and maintenance of irrigation equipment.
3.1.3 Training on pre-and post-harvest handling techniques along the identified value addition
Post-harvest handling techniques in horticulture crops will emphasize on quality produce, safe produce and meet set quality standards (national and international) as well as reducing post-harvest losses. Specific areas will include; Maturity indices for crops, harvesting techniques, environmental factors affecting produce, produce handling, PHI, MRL, food preservation and value addition
3.1.4 Group exchange visits
The ToFs will facilitate the groups on exchange visits. This will be organized among participating youth groups as well as other successful entrepreneurs within the selected value chains within the county. This will also contribute toward identifying potential successful agribusiness practitioners who can provide mentorship to the youth groups.
3.1.5 Capacity building on conflict resolution and peacebuilding
Since the water abstracted for irrigation is a common resource, the youth groups will be linked to existing water resource user associations (WRUAs) and be trained on conflict resolution and peacebuilding. This will ensure that use of water for irrigation does not generate conflict with other users in the upstream of lower streams sections of the river.
Output 3.2: Youth are engaged in commercialization of indigenous chicken
3.2.1 Training and facilitation of poultry feed production and formulation
The composition and availability of feeds will vary, depending on the season, locality and production system. In general, poultry, as other animals need feed containing energy and protein, as well as vitamins, minerals, and water.
3.2.2 Training and facilitation of poultry feed production and formulation
Before embarking on poultry production the groups will be trained on; marketing analysis and economic analysis. This shall be followed with background information and importance of indigenous poultry production, types of production systems, housing, feed, and feeding etc.
3.2.3 Facilitate commercial breeding and brooding
Breeding indigenous chicken for improvement of the breed is important and will be accomplished through, indigenous chicken breeds, improved breeds e.g Kuroiler, improved KARI Kienyeji, selection, and breeding (serial hatching, selection of eggs for setting, synchronized hatching selection of birds for breeding and upgrading etc).
For more information contact Jeremiah_Nyagah@wvi.org