In August, AFARD officially launched the Sustainable Inclusive Youth Employment Pathways (SIYEP) program with an onboarding and orientation session for its Nebbi-based staff and the Program Implementation Unit (PIU). The sessions introduced the program’s vision, delivery approach, and the roles staff will play in empowering rural youth across Uganda.

As consortium lead, AFARD is responsible for overall program coordination and directly implementing youth training and transition pathways. Staff were oriented on AFARD’s proven Youth Savings and Loan Association (YSLA Plus) model, which builds financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and market-relevant skills among rural young women.

The training also provided an overview of SIYEP’s three-phase transition strategy: entry and discovery through mobilisation and market assessments; skills development and business start-up in agribusiness, trades, and other sectors; and enterprise growth supported by business services, finance, and market linkages.

A strong focus was placed on gender and disability inclusion, ensuring that young women, particularly those with disabilities, can equitably access program opportunities. Lessons from past AFARD projects highlighted the importance of mindset change, personal planning, and wraparound support such as mentorship and market access.

The sessions doubled as team-building and reflection moments, clarifying roles, strengthening collaboration, and instilling a shared commitment to SIYEP’s ambitious targets.

Over the next five years, SIYEP will reach 258,000 rural young women across Uganda’s poorest regions. The program aims to transition 90% into work, with at least 70% securing dignified and fulfilling employment.

SIYEP is implemented by AFARD in partnership with the African Agribusiness Incubation Network (AAIN), Omia Agribusiness, Agromax, Tropical Institute of Development Innovations (TRIDI), Uganda Rural Development and Training Institute (URDT), and Gudie Leisure Farm (GLF), with support from the Mastercard Foundation.